As per new studies of BMI research, India is set to overtake Japan in the production of electricity in Asia having the second largest power capacity in 2018.
Electricity being the main engine of growth for the country, has been given at most priority in the present Narendra Modi government. The government has taken the challenge of providing 24 hours electricity to every village in the country and has been delivering it successfully. The electricity production has reached an all time high 344 Giga Watts (GW) and set to surpass 363.32 GWs of production by the end of 2018, to be the second highest producer in Asia after China. India may even surpass United States of America as the second largest producer in the world by 2020.
India’s electricity production is heavily dependent on coal, as 65% of the electricity is produced by thermal based power plants. The total installation of thermal power plants is now at 223 GWs, where other sources, including nuclear and renewable energy combined produce remaining 115 GWs. “India’s power sector will remain dominated by coal over the coming decade, despite significant growth in cleaner sources—notably nuclear, non-hydro renewable and natural gas,” an analysis by BMI research reported.
“Despite the prevalence of coal-fired power generation, we expect significant growth in the alternative, cleaner power sources over the next ten years—albeit from a lower base—notably in the natural gas, nuclear and non-hydro power renewable sectors,” notes the BMI research.
“This is in line with government efforts to reduce pollution across the country and international pressure to boost environmental policy,” it added.
India’s growth in production of renewable energy is commendable. India has doubled its renewable energy capacity in last five years and produces around 115 GWs of Renewable Energy, which includes 45 GWs from Hydro electricity projects, 34 GWs through Wind Power, another 21 GWs by ambitious solar projects and remaining 13 GWs with the help of Small Hydro projects, Biomass and Waste conversion. Prime Minister Modi has set an ambitious target of installing 175 GW of Renewable energy plants by 2022 of which 100 GWs alone will be from solar power plants.
In the draft National Electricity Plan released by the centre in December 2016, non-fossil fuel-based energy sources will make up little over 56% of India’s installed power capacity by 2027. India has also promised to reduce its emissions intensity of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 33 to 35 per cent below 2005 levels by the year 2030. It had also promised to ensure that at least 40 per cent of its energy in 2030 would be generated from non-fossil fuel sources, like solar, wind or bio-fuels.
