Evolutionary changes to clean energy will bode well for a green recovery

Posted on 05 Oct 2020

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has refreshed mankind to the rich dividends of using clean energy which will help them breathe pollution-free air and safeguard them from ailments. Numerous lockdowns imposed by governments of different countries including India to break the chain of virus resulted in a significant drop in land, air and water pollution.

Humans are once again witnessing blue skies and crystal clear water with reduced vehicular emissions and a substantial drop in industry waste discharge. Nations want to keep this momentum and a switch to clean energy is imminent if the current generation wants to leave bountiful earth for the next generation.

Ensuring a climate-compatible future is no doubt a challenge but much will depend on innovations in clean energy and their suitable implementation on a large-scale.

A new research paper titled ‘Successful clean energy technology transitions in emerging economies: Learning from India, China, and Brazil’, published in IOP Science spells out that clean energy transitions in India, China and Brazil can influence global trends.

India is evolving in terms of infrastructure development and economic growth. It is undergoing rapid urbanization and battling challenges for technological innovations in the energy field, something that is easily done in developed countries. India has been a primary contributor to carbon dioxide emissions along with Brazil, China, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa and the pressure to cut down carbon emissions is mounting.

India is a signatory to the historic Paris Agreement and stands committed to cut down its greenhouse gas emissions significantly. The country witnessed a steep fall by almost 30% for the first time since 1982 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed a nationwide lockdown. Environmentalists were enthused, and with public sentiments also favouring for a correction in emissions, the country is making its move towards a much-needed transition to clean energy.

It is to be noted that much before the coronavirus pandemic outbreak India was seeing a reduction in electricity use and reliance on renewable energy sources which had perhaps weakened the demand for coal. India’s price-sensitive consumers have always been slow in adapting to new technologies. However, the consumers’ shift from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs has been a runaway success. Barring for the switch to smartphones, consumers in India never had a great story to offer in terms of adaption to a technology of that kind.

LED bulbs save energy as well as bills and are longer lasting than conventional lighting systems which made it an instant hit among consumers. With residential as well as commercial establishments using LED bulbs it is believed that the country can save around 40 terawatts of electricity per year which can power over 35 million average Indian households.

Backed by government propaganda and aggressive marketing, India’s share in the global LED market went up from nothing to close to 10% in three years. Rural electrification was one of the primary concerns and focus of the government which led them on a warpath to implement LED bulbs in rural households. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) took a lead in making this project successful.

The Indian government also brought forth the UJALA scheme in 2015 urging people to use LED bulbs and educating them on their efficiency, longer life and economical aspects over the long-term. A vast number of households across the country switched to this and availed the benefits of the scheme. As per EESL the distribution of 230 million LED bulbs, 800,000 energy-efficient fans and 2.3 million LED tube lights enabled India to save more than 30 billion kWh electricity annually. It also resulted in an annual reduction of 25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Importantly, the renewable energy sector is turning to be a big job provider. As per International Renewable Energy Agency estimates India’s renewable energy sector provides 8.24 lakh jobs which is the highest after China and Brazil. This assumes importance given the job losses due to the pandemic in many sectors and job aspirants can also look to make their careers in this sector.

India’s successful transition to clean energy will be led by public sector enterprises. EESL’s bringing out LED bulbs in bulk reduced prices using competitive bidding, running national marketing campaigns and selling bulbs to customers.

Domestic choices in the global economy will assume importance. There is a need to strengthen harmonizing links between the global economy and domestic technology choices.

Last but not the least, it is the engagement between the academic institutions and the industry in R&D and innovations for developing indigenous technology that can propel the transition to clean energy. Investments from both public sector and private sector will play an important role in meeting the country’s energy goals.

Proportionate and evolutionary investment in the sector is vital which will aid in the growth towards clean energy. In the post-Covid era, green recovery is what India should look for triggering and sustaining growth and resilience. A transition to clean energy can make that dream come true.

(The author is a Delhi-based journalist. He can be reached at prasad.n@indoen.com)