BREAKING NEWS
Energy availability and security is an important aspect which affects economy, communities, individuals and environment. Lack of reliable affordable access to energy sources not only inhibits development but also aggravates inequity and impends stability. The deepening energy scenario along with its fallout on economy, ecology and climate change is also a cause of worry and needs thoughtful understanding of all the dimensions of energy deficit and insecurities to frame strategies to cope up scarcities effectively and address the upcoming challenges.Jammu and Kashmir located in the extreme north of the country is also reeling through glitches of unreliable energy supplies. As per the recent reports, the continued endeavor of the Government hasplaced J&K at the highest pedestal of economic growth and prosperity. Tohelp sustain and boost the pace of infused economic development, the energy sector has to play a momentous role and will continue to be an essential driver of economic growth.J&K despite having tremendous renewable resources of energy has lagged behind to harness energy resources and steer up its development goals. It completely depends on fossil fuels for transport and industrial sector. As generated Hydel power scantly fulfills its requirement power, it is constrained to purchase power every year from national grid which burdens the exchequer cripplingly.
J&K is starved of energy despitehaving tremendous potentials for generation of renewable energy. The natural energy sources like sunshine, vegetation, water flow, biomass and other bio-wastes are abundantly available but have remained unharnessed resulting into a very low per capita energy availability,constraining people to use wood causing deforestation and loss of vegetal cover. The fossil fuels which pollute the environment in J&K like coal in brick kilns, petrol and diesel in transport sectorare extensively utilized even though these are not sustainable. As a result renewableenergytechnologies are urgently needed for optimum exploitation and properly implementation, to secure energy for boosting all round development and to entice new investments creating more employment opportunities and to safe guard the fragile environment. The potentials for energy augmentation in J&K are so enormous, harnessing the available sources optimally would generate supplementary fiscal resources for the Government by allowing to trade generated energy to other States. In addition, the physical disposition makesJ&K vulnerable tosupplies from other States, strappingly risks energy security which is further worsened by crisismongering oftencreating chaotic scenes.The interruption in supplies due to closure of highwayon account of landslides, shooting stones, and trade union hartals etc. Such happeningsalways create disruption to supplies andunruly rush to petrol pumps especially in Kashmir Valley observed.Therefore, it is exceedingly important that J&K needs to opt and adopt for clear and sustainable energy for ensuring resilience, cost effectiveness, reliability and sustainability to guarantee stability in economy and development.
National Energy Commitments
Over the years the country’s power sector has itself been rambling with the inflation of imported fossil fuels. In addition, recent multilateral events like COP28 manifestly necessitate transition towards renewable energy for achieving net-zero emissions. The commitment to triple renewable energy highlighted during COP presidency and in New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration of G20, and Nairobi Declaration’s push for a five-fold increase in Africa’s renewable energy capacity by 2030 are acting as catalyst to improve energy basket through diversified energy resources. These objectives not only aid to intensify collective efforts but also underlines the earnestness to address the well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable.
COP28 commitment made for transitioning away from fossil fuel, and Paris Climate Agreement to meet the energy needs and keep under control the increasing pollution. Thereliance on fossil fuels makes India the third highest country in the world for its annual CO2 emissions below 40 percent by 2030. In a move to cut pollution and accomplish energy security, Central Government is also working on ambitious clean energy targets.To meet net zero carbon emission by 2070, and transitioning away from fossil fuels as COP28 commitment, the government is striving hard to introduce robustplans and restructured reforms to support domestic energy players in the country for rampingup of evolvingrenewable infrastructure capacities. These policies and reforms are aiding the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy basket through investments, subsidies, and opportunities for domestic and international players to craft technologies. The development and transformation in pursuit toadopt green and clean energy at national level provides ample opportunities to make maximum use of doles accruing out of the endeavors and financepackages of Central Government at regional level serving dual purpose; i)achieving self-sufficiency at regional level and ii) supplement the nation to transition away from fossil fuel with greater objective of controlling the climate change.
Existing Energy Scenario
Out of India’s 1490727 MW renewable energy potentials, J&K possess about 112803 MWconstituting roughly 7.6 percent of thetotal potentialrenewable energy resources of the country. In 2014 about 17.28 percent which increased to 44 percent was generated in India.The scenario of energy in J&K worse than that what prevails at National levelwhere only about 3.2percent energy is generated.Since India had committed to have in place 175000 MW of renewable energy capacity with 100000 MW of solar power. However, only 61000 MW have actually be installed. Overall, J&K has a requirement of about 2,800 MW of electricity. However, the power supply to the Kashmir division is 1200 MW and to Jammu division is 900 MW.
Out of this 1,400 MW are made available from central and state generating agencies. JK UT is supplying about 2100 MW procuring additional 700 MW from the central power grid despite that J&K is unable to meet its energy requirement. The fiscal burden on account of purchase of additional power costs to the exchequer is Rs. 750 crores monthly which is expected go up to Rs. 850 crores per month during the in peak season in J&K.This year J&K has experienced an exceptional dry spell during summer and winter which is likely plummeted power generation across various projects in immediate future. As reported water flow in the rivers had declined and was very low leading to a descent in power generation. There has been a decline of 25-50 percent in most of the power projects. Every year power crisis is taking Jammu and Kashmir by unawares resulting, frequent energy cuts ranging from 4 to 18 hours. Everyone ponders why despite have tremendous potentials in J&K we are unable to meet basic energy needs and why is not prevalent energy insecurity sorted out. Every dispensation in the J&K notwithstanding with its commitments of development is missing this basic ingredient of development slackening the growth and prosperity. For ensuring energy reliability, security and enhancing the economic growth and to make J&K self-sufficient,renewable energy has to be harnessed to its fullest potential otherwise J&K would continue to remain behind in achieving the economic goals and in its targets for energy sector.
Alternative Energy Resources
Despite having tremendous potentials for sustainable energy generation, its energy security has remained a far cry with wavering supplies limiting its march to economic prosperity. Abundantpotential for renewable energy resources like hydro power, solar power and huge reserves of lithium provide J&K a potential for a viable energy mix. These energy alternatives need to be optimally exploited to convert the solar energy and hydel power into a treasureand provideopportunities for meeting requirements of energy for residential and industrial sectors while as rich lithiumreserves lend it unique prospects for transitioning awayof energy needs in transport sector from fossil fuel to green energy.In addition, wind, waste and biomass also provide scope for energy generation which remain largely unexploited till date. Optimum harnessing of energy resourceswould not only fulfill its energy demands but can enable to provide ample energy to national grid which can become a means for infra integration and earnings to give much needed impetus to its economic growth.
Since J&K throttles to become leading tourist place with speedy economic development, it will have to adapt, transform and grow in tune with the country’sglobal commitments and agreements like COP-28 to phase down the unabated fossil fuel use and use safe energy to arrest climate change. Therefore,States and Union Territories can enablecountry to thereach spotlight of transitioning away and de-carbonizeenergy sector in pursuit also realize economic development and energy security. In this endeavor potential possessed by J&K hold decisive importance.As the seventh most-vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change, India has been at the forefront of climate action — it has reduced overall fossil fuel subsidies by 76% between FY14 and FY22 and is priming the domestic industry to nearly triple its installed renewable power generation capacity by 2030. The country has affirmed that while it continues to rapidly expand renewable energy, coal will remain a vital energy source till it reaches the status of a developed country in a geopolitically turbulent world. Harnessing renewable energy would go long way to meet the international commitments of the country beside infusing economic growth, ensuring energy security and playing a significantly role in checking climate change.
Need for Energy Security.
J&K poor accessibility to sustainable energy has distanced it from its opportunities to become part of the economic development trajectories and efforts at regional, national and global level. Energy security beingcritical andone of the basic parameters to further the growth and economic prosperity. No development is possible without availability of sustainable and reliable forms of energy.Since secured supply of electricity is essential for the prosperity of any region and indispensable for the 24/7 digital economy and governance. Simultaneously, sustained energy supplies holda key to progress, prosperity and to mitigate mounting unemployment which is must for lasting peace. In Energy consumption particularly of fossil fuel is as the main contributor to climate change as it produces around 60 per cent of greenhouse gases. As the population will continue to grow and economy tend to scale up, the demand for cheap and reliable energy will also upsurge. To holistically mitigate the effects of the situation, a comprehensive energy policy needs to be framed and designed to address the J&K growing energy deficit and to focus on harnessing alternative sources of energy, particularly hydro, solar, wind, biomass waste to energy sources. Though the J&K has been striving and focusing on reducing its dependence on national grid and diversifying its energy basket. The prime goal has been to achieve Energy security - the continuous and reliable availability of energy in sufficient quantities at economical price to stimulate economic growth in immediate future. Moreover, central government needs to facilitate and promote a supportive environment for enabling development and utilization of financing mechanisms for exchange of new energy technology and infrastructure sector to thrive and boost growth momentum with great focus on alleviation for poverty and improvements in standards of living.
Bottom Line
Generally, balance between energy production and demand determine the level of energy security. In case of J&K energy supply and consumption is determining energy security. The supplies are in itself determined by the transit. J&K is an area which purely is dependent supplies for energy and transit volatility often destabilizes energy security and set in a vicious cycle of instability and energy insecurity. Road blocks due landslides, and sometime the hartals actually exacerbate the energy weakness of J&K and emasculates its resilience and sustainability. Since the present pattern of energy especially in transport sector is exceedingly based on fossil fuel and is continuously increasing with the increase in population and number of vehicles. The constant surge in consumption of fossil fuel based energy is directly linked with appalling rise in GHG emissions.The clean energy transition is likely to craft structural changes in the generation profile and use of energy.Through it J&K is expected to resolve the energy deficit, achieve energy security, reduce cost and can take lead in this sector. It can substantiate tothe energy transition stressed in COP28 and C40 besides reducing dependence on supply oriented availability and reduce energy insecurity along with reduction carbon foot prints major reason for climate change.
Email:---------------------- hamwani24@gmail.com
Energy availability and security is an important aspect which affects economy, communities, individuals and environment. Lack of reliable affordable access to energy sources not only inhibits development but also aggravates inequity and impends stability. The deepening energy scenario along with its fallout on economy, ecology and climate change is also a cause of worry and needs thoughtful understanding of all the dimensions of energy deficit and insecurities to frame strategies to cope up scarcities effectively and address the upcoming challenges.Jammu and Kashmir located in the extreme north of the country is also reeling through glitches of unreliable energy supplies. As per the recent reports, the continued endeavor of the Government hasplaced J&K at the highest pedestal of economic growth and prosperity. Tohelp sustain and boost the pace of infused economic development, the energy sector has to play a momentous role and will continue to be an essential driver of economic growth.J&K despite having tremendous renewable resources of energy has lagged behind to harness energy resources and steer up its development goals. It completely depends on fossil fuels for transport and industrial sector. As generated Hydel power scantly fulfills its requirement power, it is constrained to purchase power every year from national grid which burdens the exchequer cripplingly.
J&K is starved of energy despitehaving tremendous potentials for generation of renewable energy. The natural energy sources like sunshine, vegetation, water flow, biomass and other bio-wastes are abundantly available but have remained unharnessed resulting into a very low per capita energy availability,constraining people to use wood causing deforestation and loss of vegetal cover. The fossil fuels which pollute the environment in J&K like coal in brick kilns, petrol and diesel in transport sectorare extensively utilized even though these are not sustainable. As a result renewableenergytechnologies are urgently needed for optimum exploitation and properly implementation, to secure energy for boosting all round development and to entice new investments creating more employment opportunities and to safe guard the fragile environment. The potentials for energy augmentation in J&K are so enormous, harnessing the available sources optimally would generate supplementary fiscal resources for the Government by allowing to trade generated energy to other States. In addition, the physical disposition makesJ&K vulnerable tosupplies from other States, strappingly risks energy security which is further worsened by crisismongering oftencreating chaotic scenes.The interruption in supplies due to closure of highwayon account of landslides, shooting stones, and trade union hartals etc. Such happeningsalways create disruption to supplies andunruly rush to petrol pumps especially in Kashmir Valley observed.Therefore, it is exceedingly important that J&K needs to opt and adopt for clear and sustainable energy for ensuring resilience, cost effectiveness, reliability and sustainability to guarantee stability in economy and development.
National Energy Commitments
Over the years the country’s power sector has itself been rambling with the inflation of imported fossil fuels. In addition, recent multilateral events like COP28 manifestly necessitate transition towards renewable energy for achieving net-zero emissions. The commitment to triple renewable energy highlighted during COP presidency and in New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration of G20, and Nairobi Declaration’s push for a five-fold increase in Africa’s renewable energy capacity by 2030 are acting as catalyst to improve energy basket through diversified energy resources. These objectives not only aid to intensify collective efforts but also underlines the earnestness to address the well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable.
COP28 commitment made for transitioning away from fossil fuel, and Paris Climate Agreement to meet the energy needs and keep under control the increasing pollution. Thereliance on fossil fuels makes India the third highest country in the world for its annual CO2 emissions below 40 percent by 2030. In a move to cut pollution and accomplish energy security, Central Government is also working on ambitious clean energy targets.To meet net zero carbon emission by 2070, and transitioning away from fossil fuels as COP28 commitment, the government is striving hard to introduce robustplans and restructured reforms to support domestic energy players in the country for rampingup of evolvingrenewable infrastructure capacities. These policies and reforms are aiding the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy basket through investments, subsidies, and opportunities for domestic and international players to craft technologies. The development and transformation in pursuit toadopt green and clean energy at national level provides ample opportunities to make maximum use of doles accruing out of the endeavors and financepackages of Central Government at regional level serving dual purpose; i)achieving self-sufficiency at regional level and ii) supplement the nation to transition away from fossil fuel with greater objective of controlling the climate change.
Existing Energy Scenario
Out of India’s 1490727 MW renewable energy potentials, J&K possess about 112803 MWconstituting roughly 7.6 percent of thetotal potentialrenewable energy resources of the country. In 2014 about 17.28 percent which increased to 44 percent was generated in India.The scenario of energy in J&K worse than that what prevails at National levelwhere only about 3.2percent energy is generated.Since India had committed to have in place 175000 MW of renewable energy capacity with 100000 MW of solar power. However, only 61000 MW have actually be installed. Overall, J&K has a requirement of about 2,800 MW of electricity. However, the power supply to the Kashmir division is 1200 MW and to Jammu division is 900 MW.
Out of this 1,400 MW are made available from central and state generating agencies. JK UT is supplying about 2100 MW procuring additional 700 MW from the central power grid despite that J&K is unable to meet its energy requirement. The fiscal burden on account of purchase of additional power costs to the exchequer is Rs. 750 crores monthly which is expected go up to Rs. 850 crores per month during the in peak season in J&K.This year J&K has experienced an exceptional dry spell during summer and winter which is likely plummeted power generation across various projects in immediate future. As reported water flow in the rivers had declined and was very low leading to a descent in power generation. There has been a decline of 25-50 percent in most of the power projects. Every year power crisis is taking Jammu and Kashmir by unawares resulting, frequent energy cuts ranging from 4 to 18 hours. Everyone ponders why despite have tremendous potentials in J&K we are unable to meet basic energy needs and why is not prevalent energy insecurity sorted out. Every dispensation in the J&K notwithstanding with its commitments of development is missing this basic ingredient of development slackening the growth and prosperity. For ensuring energy reliability, security and enhancing the economic growth and to make J&K self-sufficient,renewable energy has to be harnessed to its fullest potential otherwise J&K would continue to remain behind in achieving the economic goals and in its targets for energy sector.
Alternative Energy Resources
Despite having tremendous potentials for sustainable energy generation, its energy security has remained a far cry with wavering supplies limiting its march to economic prosperity. Abundantpotential for renewable energy resources like hydro power, solar power and huge reserves of lithium provide J&K a potential for a viable energy mix. These energy alternatives need to be optimally exploited to convert the solar energy and hydel power into a treasureand provideopportunities for meeting requirements of energy for residential and industrial sectors while as rich lithiumreserves lend it unique prospects for transitioning awayof energy needs in transport sector from fossil fuel to green energy.In addition, wind, waste and biomass also provide scope for energy generation which remain largely unexploited till date. Optimum harnessing of energy resourceswould not only fulfill its energy demands but can enable to provide ample energy to national grid which can become a means for infra integration and earnings to give much needed impetus to its economic growth.
Since J&K throttles to become leading tourist place with speedy economic development, it will have to adapt, transform and grow in tune with the country’sglobal commitments and agreements like COP-28 to phase down the unabated fossil fuel use and use safe energy to arrest climate change. Therefore,States and Union Territories can enablecountry to thereach spotlight of transitioning away and de-carbonizeenergy sector in pursuit also realize economic development and energy security. In this endeavor potential possessed by J&K hold decisive importance.As the seventh most-vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change, India has been at the forefront of climate action — it has reduced overall fossil fuel subsidies by 76% between FY14 and FY22 and is priming the domestic industry to nearly triple its installed renewable power generation capacity by 2030. The country has affirmed that while it continues to rapidly expand renewable energy, coal will remain a vital energy source till it reaches the status of a developed country in a geopolitically turbulent world. Harnessing renewable energy would go long way to meet the international commitments of the country beside infusing economic growth, ensuring energy security and playing a significantly role in checking climate change.
Need for Energy Security.
J&K poor accessibility to sustainable energy has distanced it from its opportunities to become part of the economic development trajectories and efforts at regional, national and global level. Energy security beingcritical andone of the basic parameters to further the growth and economic prosperity. No development is possible without availability of sustainable and reliable forms of energy.Since secured supply of electricity is essential for the prosperity of any region and indispensable for the 24/7 digital economy and governance. Simultaneously, sustained energy supplies holda key to progress, prosperity and to mitigate mounting unemployment which is must for lasting peace. In Energy consumption particularly of fossil fuel is as the main contributor to climate change as it produces around 60 per cent of greenhouse gases. As the population will continue to grow and economy tend to scale up, the demand for cheap and reliable energy will also upsurge. To holistically mitigate the effects of the situation, a comprehensive energy policy needs to be framed and designed to address the J&K growing energy deficit and to focus on harnessing alternative sources of energy, particularly hydro, solar, wind, biomass waste to energy sources. Though the J&K has been striving and focusing on reducing its dependence on national grid and diversifying its energy basket. The prime goal has been to achieve Energy security - the continuous and reliable availability of energy in sufficient quantities at economical price to stimulate economic growth in immediate future. Moreover, central government needs to facilitate and promote a supportive environment for enabling development and utilization of financing mechanisms for exchange of new energy technology and infrastructure sector to thrive and boost growth momentum with great focus on alleviation for poverty and improvements in standards of living.
Bottom Line
Generally, balance between energy production and demand determine the level of energy security. In case of J&K energy supply and consumption is determining energy security. The supplies are in itself determined by the transit. J&K is an area which purely is dependent supplies for energy and transit volatility often destabilizes energy security and set in a vicious cycle of instability and energy insecurity. Road blocks due landslides, and sometime the hartals actually exacerbate the energy weakness of J&K and emasculates its resilience and sustainability. Since the present pattern of energy especially in transport sector is exceedingly based on fossil fuel and is continuously increasing with the increase in population and number of vehicles. The constant surge in consumption of fossil fuel based energy is directly linked with appalling rise in GHG emissions.The clean energy transition is likely to craft structural changes in the generation profile and use of energy.Through it J&K is expected to resolve the energy deficit, achieve energy security, reduce cost and can take lead in this sector. It can substantiate tothe energy transition stressed in COP28 and C40 besides reducing dependence on supply oriented availability and reduce energy insecurity along with reduction carbon foot prints major reason for climate change.
Email:---------------------- hamwani24@gmail.com
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