Need of Becoming Self-Reliant in the Energy Sector: UPSC Daily Important Topic | 26 September 2022

Need of Becoming Self-Reliant in the Energy Sector

✓India is not energy independent. It spends over Rs 12 lakh crore on importing energy.

✓The government is planning to get energy independence before 100 years of independence is completed i.e., by 2047.

✓As green power takes precedence in the global scheme of things, the Indian government has already kick-started its green hydrogen journey.

✓For a nation, 85% dependent on imports for meeting its oil needs and 50 % for gas requirements, the key is alternate energy sources – from renewable power to hydrogen and switching to electric vehicles from current petrol and diesel-run automobiles.

✓From solar energy to Mission Hydrogen to adoption to EVs, we need to take these initiatives to the next level for energy independence.

India is the world’s fifth largest producer of ethanol after the US, Brazil, EU and China. Ethanol worldwide is largely used for consumption but nations like Brazil and India also dope it in petrol.

✓Self-reliance through green energy initiatives is the foundation of a green and sustainable economy. Green energy initiatives focus on clean energy and its availability to all individuals and businesses.