From Biomass to Megawatts: Tracing India’s Energy Evolution

India is a significant player in the world energy market. It is the most populous country in the world and is still expanding, which has resulted in a more than two-fold increase in energy consumption since the year 2000. An NFHS-5 report showed in January 2023 that 97% of households in the country had access to electricity, suggesting that in two decades, over 1.3 billion people in the country now have a connection.

 

In the fiscal year 2021, India consumed over 194 million metric tonnes of petroleum products. In terms of global primary energy consumption, the nation came in third. Because of the industry’s rapid expansion, inland production of petroleum products is insufficient. During the 2019 fiscal year, imports of petroleum products came close to 33 million metric tonnes.

 

In short, India is a huge energy market, even if per capita consumption is low. Still, the country has evolved over the years in choosing and diversifying its energy sources. The history of energy in India is a fascinating tale that spans centuries, showcasing the country’s evolution from traditional sources of energy to modern and diverse energy systems. Here’s a brief overview:

 

From biomass to coal

Considering the low energy consumption in the early ages and the bare minimum technological advancement, the sources of energy remained on the same lines. India’s early energy needs were primarily met through traditional sources such as biomass, animal power, and wind energy. Biomass, including firewood, crop residues, and animal dung, served as the dominant fuel for cooking, heating, and lighting. Water mills were also used to harness energy for grinding grains.

 

With the arrival of the British, India saw the advent of western modern energy systems. Coal mining began in the 1770s in eastern India, which laid the foundation for the country’s coal industry.

 

The development of railways during this period led to increased demand for coal as a fuel source. The first coal-powered thermal power plant was established in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1899.

 

Post-Independence

After India gained independence, there was a concerted effort to develop the country’s energy sector. The focus shifted to hydroelectric power, and large dams were constructed to harness the potential of rivers. Bhakra-Nangal, the first major multipurpose dam, was completed in 1963, and it played a crucial role in India’s agricultural and industrial growth.

 

In the 1960s, India started exploring and extracting its own oil and natural gas resources. The Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) was established in 1956 to oversee exploration and production activities. The discovery of the Bombay High offshore oil field in 1974 was a significant milestone for India’s oil industry.

 

While coal and bioenergy remained significant energy sources until the 1980s, this period marked the initial steps towards recognising the importance of renewable and non-conventional energy sources in India’s energy landscape. The subsequent years saw further developments in renewable energy technologies and the implementation of policies to promote their adoption on a larger scale.

 

Nuclear Energy

India’s journey in harnessing nuclear energy began with the establishment of the Atomic Energy Establishment in the 1950s under the guidance of Dr Homi J. Bhabha, which later became the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

 

In 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test, code-named “Smiling Buddha,” which was a peaceful nuclear explosion. This marked India’s entry into the nuclear club and demonstrated its capabilities in the field. However, India faced international criticism and sanctions for not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

 

In 2008, India signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States, allowing it to engage in civilian nuclear trade despite not being an NPT signatory. This agreement provided India access to advanced nuclear technology and fuel.

 

Since then, India has continued to develop its indigenous nuclear energy program. It operates a fleet of nuclear power reactors and is expanding its capacity to meet growing energy demands. India’s nuclear energy sector plays a vital role in the country’s energy mix, contributing to its energy security and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

 

Renewable Energy

As the awareness of environmental concerns and the need for sustainable energy grew, India started focusing on renewable energy sources. In the 1980s, the government initiated programs to promote solar and wind energy with the establishment of the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in 1982.

 

Over the years, the country has made significant progress in harnessing renewable sources like solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower. The National Action Plan on Climate Change, launched in 2008, set the stage for renewable energy expansion.

 

India’s solar power sector experienced remarkable growth, achieving its 100 GW target four years ahead of schedule. Wind energy also played a significant role, with India being one of the largest wind energy installers globally.

 

The country has actively collaborated with international organizations and countries to enhance its renewable energy sector. India’s efforts have made it one of the world’s leading renewable energy markets, with ambitious targets to further increase its renewable energy capacity.

 

Recent Developments

In recent years, India has made significant strides in renewable energy deployment. The country has become one of the world’s largest markets for solar power installations. The government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy capacity addition, including a target of 450 GW by 2030.

 

India’s continued industrialisation and urbanisation will make huge demands of its energy sector and its policymakers. Energy use on a per capita basis in the country is well under half the global average, and there are widespread differences in energy use and the quality of service across states and between rural and urban areas. The affordability and reliability of energy supply are key concerns for India’s consumers.

 

Oil and Natural Gas Corp. of India plans to invest 1 trillion rupees ($12.1 billion) by 2030 in green energy projects to counterbalance its fossil fuel-heavy energy portfolio.

 

The state-controlled driller, which supplies more than half of the country’s oil and gas, intends to increase the size of its renewable energy portfolio from 189 megawatts to 10,000 megawatts by 2030. Additionally, it will concentrate on technologies that enable 24/7 production of ammonia using clean energy.

 

In order to make up for a shortage in local production in the face of increased demand for renewable energy, India is considering slashing its import duty on solar panels by half and is pursuing a reduction in goods and services taxes on the devices, as per a Reuters report.

 

1. K. Singh, the Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, has reassured investors that India’s power sector is stronger than ever and urged them to take advantage of the expanding market prospects in the nation.

 

Singh underscored India’s progress in increasing its power capacity while recognising the significance of net zero, having added 184,000 MW since 2014. He emphasised, however, that this achievement was insufficient and underlined India’s commitment to supplying energy around-the-clock while maintaining per capita carbon emissions that are currently one-third of the world average.

 

Despite the progress, India still faces challenges in ensuring universal access to clean and affordable energy. The country continues to diversify its energy mix, promote energy efficiency, and explore new technologies to meet its growing energy demand while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.