NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES IN INDIA - ESSAY

Energy is the currency of change in the world. It makes things happen and is literally the force driving our lives. That is why, it is in great demand always. But there is and unprecedented shortage due to population explosion and technological development. Energy has become the most important commodity, that it dictates the national as well as international policies and politics.

Energy is converted into various forms for usage in factories, transport, communication networks and myriad other operations. So far, energy from fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas formed the primary source. According to the International energy Annual, these three resources accounted for 38.74 %, 23.05 % and 23.75 % respectively of the total world consumption of energy in 2001. Hydroelectric and nuclear electric power accounted only for 6.64 % respectively of world's largest total consumption.

India's oil requirements are met largely with imports from abroad. Over 70 % of the country's crude oil needs are imported while domestic fields like Bombay High are showing stagnation. With war clouds in the air, gradually a steep rise in prices of petrol and diesel are witnessed. Even if the government takes effort to import, India has the capacity to stock oil only for 45 days.

In 1973, the OPEC - Organization of petroleum exporting countries was formed. It drilled oil from oil wells and exported to other countries. It helped to stabilize the prices by reviewing the demand - supply gap. With increasing industrialization and globalization, the demand for fuels is on the rise. Conventional fuels like coal and natural gases are getting depleted due to increase in utilzation.

Cola-fired thermal stations and hydel units are the major sources of electric power generation in India. Though the capacity for the power production is increasing, due to growing population, it is insufficient. Our coal reserves will last for another 30 years only, at this rate of consumption. Also the Indian coal has a high ash content, which lead to health hazards and environment pollution. So, there should be a gradual shift natural sources like wind, sun, geothermal, ocean, bio gas, biomass can form good substitutes. India is repository of these resources which can be harnessed and used to meet our growing and used to meet our growing demand.