India’s energy intensity per unit of GDP is about 3.7 times that of Japan, 1.4 times that of Asia and 1.5 times that of USA. It indicates a very high amount of energy wastage and also gives an idea about potential of energy saving that can be achieved. India’s present economic growth of about 8 to 9% per year is causing a lot of stress on commercial energy resources, most of which are from fossil fuels. It is also well known fact that increased use of fossil fuels is causing a detrimental effect on the environment due to more emissions of Green House Gases (GHGs).
India’s proven coal reserves are estimated to be 70 billion MT consisting of mainly low grade coal. It may last for more than 200 years. Known oil and natural gas reserves may last only for about 18 and 25 years respectively. India imports nearly 70% of oil requirement. With rising prices of crude oil, it is eating up a large portion of export earnings.
In order to maintain the present high economic growth, an integrated approach consisting of judicial mix of investment in supply side growth and efficiency, use of renewable energy technologies and Demand Side Management (DSM) through operational efficiency improvement, reduction in T & D losses, eliminating wastage of energy resources is the need of the hour.
