Energy security is a top priority for the Government of India, yet crises still occur. 🔴 Why does India still face energy crises? 1. High dependence on imports India imports: ~85% of crude oil ~50% of natural gas This exposes India to global shocks (e.g., wars, OPEC decisions, price spikes). 👉 Result: Even if domestic policy is strong, external factors trigger crises. 2. Coal dependency + supply bottlenecks Around 70% of electricity still comes from coal. Issues: Transport constraints (rail bottlenecks) Poor coal stock management at plants Seasonal demand spikes (heatwaves) 👉 Result: Power shortages despite having coal reserves 3. Rapidly rising demand India is one of the fastest-growing energy consumers. Drivers: Urbanization Industrialization Increasing use of ACs (heatwaves) 👉 Supply expansion often lags behind demand growth. 4. Renewable energy challenges India is aggressively expanding solar & wind, but: They are intermittent (sun/wind not constant) Storage systems (battery, pumped hydro) still limited 👉 Result: Grid instability and backup dependence on coal 5. Weak DISCOM (power distribution companies) Many DISCOMs suffer from: Financial losses Inefficiency & power theft They delay payments to power producers. 👉 Result: Supply chain stress in electricity sector 6. Infrastructure & grid limitations Transmission infrastructure is uneven. Renewable-rich states (Rajasthan, Gujarat) cannot always send power efficiently to demand centers. 7. Global geopolitical disruptions Events like: Russia–Ukraine conflict Middle East tensions Lead to: Fuel shortages Price volatility 🟢 What steps is the Government taking? 1. Diversification of energy sources Expanding: Solar (National Solar Mission) Wind energy Nuclear energy Target: 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 2. Green Hydrogen Mission India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission Goal: reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. 👉 Long-term game changer for industry & transport. 3. Boosting domestic coal production Commercial coal mining opened to private players. Aim: reduce import dependence. 4. Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) India maintains oil reserves for emergency use. Acts as a buffer during global crises. 5. Grid modernization Initiatives: Green Energy Corridors Smart grids Improve transmission of renewable energy. 6. Energy storage push Focus on: Battery storage Pumped hydro projects 👉 Critical for solving renewable intermittency. 7. Reforms in DISCOMs Schemes like: Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) Aim: Reduce losses Improve efficiency 8. Electric mobility & ethanol blending Promoting: EVs Ethanol blending in petrol (20% target) 👉 Reduces oil import dependence. 9. International energy diplomacy India diversifying oil imports: Russia, Middle East, USA Also leading alliances like: International Solar Alliance (ISA) Narmadeshwar Mishra, Director Brilliant Academy of Learning, Delhi 📞 9891726652 📞 9212096139
