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The recent power crisis has once again exposed India’s dependence on fossil fuel for energy generation. The crisis also highlights the fact that despite clamour for the need for alternative energy, the country has made little progress in producing renewable energy. As a result, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has once again decided to enhance its thermal power generating capacity six years after adopting a policy to add only green energy capacity. Such a step may be suicidal considering the alarming rise in global temperatures due to emission of greenhouse gases. As a matter of fact, the unprecedented heatwave which the country is witnessing this year, is a direct fall out of global warming. According to environmentalists, the climate will worsen further in coming years and many cities and towns in the country will either become submerged or inhabitable if concrete steps are not taken on a war footing. But the way things are moving, it appears that we have already given up hope of preventing impending danger.
It is quite inexplicable that amidst such an alarming situation, the country is using only 10 per cent of its total installed capacity of solar and wind energy. This shows that alternative energy facilities are being built only to be abandoned. If the country is sincere in fighting global warming, installations for producing renewable energy should be utilised to bring down the dependence on coal-based fuel from the present 75 per cent to the permissible limit. This is not a difficult task considering most parts of the country receive adequate sunshine throughout the year and there is also great possibility for wind energy in the country, particularly in coastal areas. Similarly, other sources of renewable energy can also be tapped to provide citizens with clean and green environment friendly options.
The situation has further been complicated due to the tussle between solar power producing companies and state distribution companies (Discoms). More often than not, Discoms have refused to honour the agreements signed between the two parties on the pretext that they are being forced to pay higher prices. On the other hand, solar power producing companies argue that Discoms demand undue favour by asking to lower prices after agreeing to all terms and conditions. The feud between the two has reached such a stage that a parliamentary panel has been formed to create a policy paper to settle the dispute amicably. The other area of contention is the fluctuation of power generation from renewable sources, due to which energy producing companies cannot supply power as per the agreement. Discoms demand that the companies should adopt better technologies to ensure that production is not hampered. Surely, it is time now for the authorities to address all these issues, so that India can really become clean and green. It is time for India to shed its dependence on coal to fulfil the county’s power needs.