24×7 Power for All: Post Rural Electrification Roadmap

In March 2019, India achieved nearly 99% rural electrification status. The electrification scheme also known as Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, or Saubhagya electrified more than 45,000 households every day for last 18 months. This showcased India’s commitment towards progress, understanding electricity as one of the basic requirements of life. Considering that more than 68% of people in India live in rural parts of the country, this was a decisive action and the journey from the drawing board to success has given India a very realistic idea of how to lead the country towards wholesome growth.

However, electrification of households do not necessarily mean uninterrupted power supply 24×7, which was targeted to succeed by March 2019. Unfortunately, there is still a major gap between electrification and receiving reliable power supply in major states like- Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Therefore, in order to consider 24×7 power for all a reality in the near future, we need to identify hurdles and find solutions.

Global PV Solar Growth Analysis and Scenario in India

China’s policy shift, mega tender cancellations and policies levying taxes and duties on solar industry in India, feed-in-tariff cut in Japan have made 2018 the year of uncertainty for solar. However, surveys suggest that global PV solar installations will see nearly 18% rise in 2019, finally reaching and may be surpassing 100 GW capacity addition. Although, at the end of 2019, we would still be far from ‘0’ emission future, rising PV installation growth and emergence of new markets within developing countries will get us closer to that goal.

Sustainability and Climate Improvement needs Long Term Policies

A blanket of CO₂ has enveloped the world. And continues to deteriorate our climate. Frequency of heatwaves has increased, habitats have started to shift, spread of disease, raising sea levels and other not so subtle and often violent changes in the climate are now reality due to growing CO₂ emission levels. Daily Global CO₂ emission levels now stand at 406.47 parts per million. It is important to note that CO₂ emission levels have never risen this high in last 400,000 years. Our fossil fuel usage is the primary reason behind this rise (80% of CO₂ emissions come from fossil fuel combustion) that is presenting devastating changes within the environment. Fortunately, now the world is taking initiatives towards reducing the CO₂ emission. However, the damage to the climate that we have done through decades of fossil fuel usage cannot be undone instantly; therefore, what the world needs is long term strategies to reduce carbon emission by adopting green energy and reducing fossil fuel usage.

Countries need Domestic Solar Manufacturing, Not a Global Supplier!

Fossil fuel reserves are limited and are very close to depletion. The continuously shrinking reserves have given rise to energy cost, which stand to deprive more people (already 1 bn people live without electricity) of energy and spewed toxic fumes that have led to environmental degradation. Facing such a scenario, the world is on its way to adopt sustainable energy that can offer release from economic and environmental binds forged by fossil fuel usage. Solar continues to win the favour of the world as the best replacement of fossil fuels. However, what it can bring is more than sustainable energy for all; it can offer a chance to build a better economy and social structure within a country, which developing countries desperately need.

Exorcism of Unemployment- Switching to Solar

Current progress in India indicates incredible growth in business and industry development, testified by the country’s acquirement of 77^th position On World Bank’s Ease Of Doing Business Report from 126^th rank in 2016. However, factoring in 6.1% (NSSO data) current unemployment rate it is important to note that unemployment in the country is surging faster than development and job creation. Improving functionalities and inner mechanisms through policy reformations have done a great job in India, but as a scenario indicates, the country needs a saviour to significantly increase job development.