In India, resources are being consumed rapidly for the maintenance and amenities of the rapidly growing population. This is giving rise to serious problems like environmental pollution and climate change. In such a situation, the question arises that how to bring a balance between the increasing population and energy supply. Keeping in mind the environment and the future generation, India will have to make a better strategy ahead, as well as there is a need to consider that at present, on which sources India is dependent and how it can be changed. Therefore, India can look at renewable energy sources such as solar energy and wind energy potential as the best solution to meet its energy needs while protecting the environment and reducing its dependence on polluting coal.
The Government of India has set a target of generating 60 gigatons of hydropower, 100 gigatons from solar power, 60 gigatons from wind power, 10 gigatons of energy biomass and 5 gigawatts of small hydropower projects by the year 2022. For this, the work was done fast in the beginning. But later the pace in this field slowed down, although if properly tried, this much target can be achieved. Solar energy has its problems. Dust is scattered in the atmosphere everywhere in our country. The solar energy is intercepted when it is reduced and stored on the solar panel. All these factors reduce the efficiency of renewable energy use. They have to be washed to remove dust and that much water is not available everywhere.
There are challenges in the field of wind energy as well. New research has revealed that wind speed is decreasing in India. A research published in Science Advances states that monsoon-related winds are more effective in spring and summer in India.
During this, more than 63% of the year’s electricity production is produced. Due to the increase in temperature, the temperature of the Indian Ocean is increasing, due to which the monsoon winds are reduced in the country.
These shortcomings are proving to be detrimental to the convenience of renewable energy use. Despite this, every year a large part of the demands of our energy needs are being met by renewable energy.
In keeping with our nationally determined contribution as per the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and our responsibility towards a cleaner planet, India has resolved to source 40% of its electricity generation from renewable energy by the year 2030.
At present, India ranks fifth in the world in terms of renewable energy capacity and solar energy. Whereas in the field of wind energy, it is at the fourth position. A lot of development can be done by technological development in this area.