Powering Development for the Poor in India

Abstract

In India, the energy sector is going to play an important role in the inclusive and holistic growth of the economy and society. Biofuels, apart from improving the energy scenario, will also have a positive effect on poor communities in rural sectors. India currently imports 70% of its oil, and this figure is estimated to touch 90% by 2030. Since India has only 0.4% of world crude oil, alternatives need to be found. Agriculture in India accounts for 43% of the total geographic area. The total estimated energy requirement of the unelectrified rural sector is about 102.6 million gigajoules(Gj). The current program of bringing 0.4 million ha of marginal land under biodiesel production would amount to producing about 42.1 million Gj from biodiesel, which can meet almost 50% of the energy requirement of this sector. In terms of achieving the target of cultivating 40 million ha of land (the best-case scenario), however, the energy production from biodiesel would be about 420.6 million Gj, which amounts to fulfilling most of the total electricity needs in rural sector. Towards this end, several states in the high- and mediumrainfall category and where wastelands are in the range of 0.1–5 million ha can be chosen for biodiesel production. Targeting marginal, fallow or wastelands would not only bring economic advantages but also open new avenues of employment and large-scale development, ensuring all-round inclusive growth.