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“From classroom science lessons to rooftop solar panels, India’s energy transition is reshaping daily life and powering the journey towards a self reliant Viksit Bharat.”
Back when I was in seventh or eighth grade, we were always introduced to the line in our science textbook: Energy cannot be created nor destroyed. We would mug this line for the purpose of passing exams and then move on to the next topic without understanding how this applied in our daily lives. I am pretty sure none of us understood its importance back then as our minds were not mature enough to comprehend. Now I see examples every day where energy changes from one form to another. Having owned a car, one can easily see the chemical energy of petroleum change into mechanical energy in terms of motion. The entire world seems to run on this transformation of energy. Another line that we were taught in class: the ultimate source of energy is the Sun. I must say it’s true. Previously, world population was less, less cars, houses and hence less energy use. Petroleum and gas could be sufficient for these uses. As the world evolved, economies grew and so did the population with growing economies. As such the need for more energy grew. Today we have reached a stage where our needs cannot be fulfilled by existing resources. Hence the earlier line of reasoning, “ultimate source of energy is the Sun,” is the most valid now. We need to shift from using petroleum and gas to more sustainable energy sources and this is visible in India. Through the switch to electric cars replacing petrol/diesel cars and through solarisation of houses to fulfil the electricity demands, this transition is visible all over India and now in Jammu & Kashmir too. This article will assess how such transition can take India to the path of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. By 2030, India aspires to have nearly 500GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity, whereas the share of electricity from non-fossil fuel sources would be half of India’s electricity generation capacity by then. Solar energy will have a large share, thus making it the largest and fastest growing source of energy in India. The increase in pace after 2024 is accelerated through the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aiming to install rooftop solar systems across almost 1 crore houses, including government buildings. This is not just the sole plan of solarizing India, but it is a move towards an entire energy transition in India. This transition is the defining trend of India’s energy landscape in future.
While speaking of solarization in Jammu & Kashmir, I believe it’s a good progress. Although Jammu & Kashmir is a state with abundance of water resources and has major hydroelectric power, it still faces a major crisis during peak winters due to the demand constraints. Since lifestyle has changed now and most household needs are powered by electricity, a sustainable power solution is always required especially in a state like J&K. Given this, there’s an undeniable move from the government to solarize government infrastructure at a visible level. Looking into data from Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, I could conclude that more than 7000 government buildings are already solarized which provide around 70 MW capacity of power. And more than 20,000 buildings have been earmarked to solarize in phase, with an upcoming capacity of nearly 270 MW, under the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II, with similar goal from PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. To me this is not just a small initiative, rather a structured transition, in schools, hospitals and administrative bodies that is setting an example for decentralized, sustainable power generation which will eventually relieve burden on conventional power during winters and reduce operational costs for the buildings. Also, it is a very tangible example at institution level that will definitely reflect on households.
To me, what is most exciting about this development is how this might transform our lives. From seeing a school in Handwara that does not have an uninterrupted power supply and as a result the functioning is impacted, to finally seeing buildings like schools and health centers getting solar panels, the difference in the quality of life can be huge. A school that can provide electricity throughout, during the entire school day without relying on unreliable and costly conventional energy sources will be able to create a better learning environment with more focus on digital education. Similarly, hospitals will be able to operate all their medical devices efficiently. At the same time, it has huge economic benefits too. A multitude of government buildings using their own solar power will significantly reduce load on the exchequer. Added to it is the factor of transmission losses, due to terrain the supply is affected but here power is generated at the point of consumption, which is much more efficient and economic in J&K.
Another significant role it plays is in signalling to the people. When people see solar panels on government schools and buildings, it builds a sense of trust and makes people familiar with this concept. When people are surrounded by solar panels on government infrastructure, they are very likely to feel positive and accept solar energy as their own energy source which can also influence their habits. Eventually it’s a behavioral change which the government is trying to implement through these large scale projects in each locality. On looking at this transition all together, it seems that what we have always been studying in our science textbooks, is finally becoming visible on the ground now, and it’s not just for some selected areas of India, it is for every state in India and also for the backward region of Jammu and Kashmir. The idea of an energy transition from nationwide policies and planning to the ground and its impact on our daily lives, seems very clear and defined. In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, this means much more than just energy reform; it’s about building reliable power in a season-dependent region and also about becoming self-reliant as envisioned for India. With the given pace and effort by the government, solarizing of government infrastructure can prove to be the initial step towards wider consumer adoption, and ultimately contribute to changing how energy is produced and consumed by households too. In short, it’s not just about generating electricity, it’s about changing our perception of energy use altogether. (tahirloneabc1983@gmail.com)
