GREEN ENERGY FOR “SELF RELIANT INDIA”: WILL INDIA ACHIEVE ZERO CO2 EMISSION TARGET BY 2070?

Energy, power, or electricity is an important infrastructure factor affecting the country’s economic growth and welfare. The demand for energy in India has increased by more than 60% per capita since 2000. India is also responsible for a 10% rise in the world’s energy demand since 2000. The increasing demand has made the world move forward with reliable renewable energy sources instead of non-renewable energy ones. There are mainly three triggers why the world including India is focusing on green and clean energy sources- first- because of climate change mitigations, second- energy security, and 3rd- net-zero targets. Due to the current status of the climate crisis, a sustainable economy has now become a challenge. Understanding the need for renewable energy the Govt. has announced INR 20.97 trillion revival package for the economy. While addressing the COP 26 summit the Govt. of India also has committed to ambitious targets of expanding the capacity to 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, and 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy by 2030 at the Net Zero target by 2070. India has ranked 4th in wind power, and 5th in solar power and renewable power installed capacity in 2021. But still, only 23% of the electricity is produced by renewable sources in India. It is therefore a matter of concern that such a landmark policy will succeed as our economy is still reliant on fossil fuel energy sources. This paper also discusses the achievements and challenges to achieving the clean and green energy targets for Aatm Nirbhar Bharat.