Committee Reviews Clean Energy Roadmap
Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy, stated that alternate and green energy sources will play a key role in meeting India's rising electricity demand, particularly during extreme summer heat. He made these remarks to ANI after a committee meeting that reviewed the country's clean energy roadmap, with a special focus on expanding wind energy capacity.
Barne said the panel discussed the potential of wind energy in India and was briefed on the government's target to increase power generation from wind energy by 2030, along with the progress made so far. Details were shared regarding the target to generate electricity from wind energy by 2030, including all output and complete information on the progress achieved.
Government Aims to Maximize Electricity Generation
The government aims to maximize electricity generation capacity over the next decade through clean energy pathways. The committee evaluated detailed strategies to expand renewable capacity alongside existing solar infrastructure projects to establish a more resilient national grid.
Addressing immediate challenges of summer load spikes and delayed seasonal rains, Barne acknowledged that rising temperatures across Indian states directly correlate with heavy electricity consumption. "See, in every state of India, when the heat increases, the power demand also increases," Barne said. "This is the first time that the government has tried to subsidize the power demand. The government has tried to increase the electricity supply. In solar, wind, hydro, wind power."
Urbanization and Cooling Appliances Drive Consumption
The increase in domestic power consumption remains tied to expanding urban populations and the widespread use of heavy cooling appliances. "In the whole country, if you take a look at every city, the heat has increased. The use of AC and other equipment has increased the electricity consumption," Barne said. He added, "In the future, the government should pay attention to this. By 2032, the electricity consumption in the country will increase."
Speaking about the country's storage capacity, Barne noted, "The storage will increase. The storage capacity will also increase. And I think this problem will not occur in the future." He emphasized the government's intention to ensure more electricity generation by 2032 and to stop pollution by using green energy as much as possible.
Government Efforts to Promote Green Energy and Reduce Pollution
"And to bring awareness in people's minds, every citizen's mind, the government is working hard. In the city where the population is increasing, there should be more use of green energy," Barne explained. He noted that the government is trying to reduce pollution, referencing that the Delhi government has tried to achieve this. He emphasized that the government is trying to use green energy in every big city, making repeated efforts to ensure that pollution is reduced.
The discussion on alternative energy sources also touched upon fluctuating international fuel markets, which influence the domestic pricing of conventional fossil fuels. "When the prices of petrol and diesel are increasing internationally, then the prices of petrol and diesel are increased by the government," Barne said. "Sometimes the prices are reduced by the government. Depending on the current situation, the government should think about this and reduce the prices."
