Opinion | Akshay Urja Diwas (Renewable Energy Day)

Power Tomorrow with Renewable Today! Renewable Energies are the Key to a Sustainable world, embracing clean energy solutions definitely empowers us today while safeguarding our environment for tomorrow.

Indian Akshay Urja Diwas, celebrated on 20th August every year since 2004 to support renewable energy development programs and promote its use instead of traditional sources of energy. The energy generated from sources that remain non-exhaustible and is not depleted with usage is renewable energy, like power made using sunlight. The source does not drain with usage and gets replenished and renewed. The day is concerned for raising awareness about the importance of renewable energy sources like solar, hydro, wind and biomass energy in India. It’s significant to provide awareness about renewable resources among people who are ignorant about the subject. As the technologies grow there comes a serious impact and imbalance in our immediate environment causing hazardous effects on life and health. This day highlights the need to adopt sustainable and eco-friendly energy practices to ensure a cleaner environment and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. India is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels that are expensive and vulnerable to global market fluctuation. Inorder to achieve greater self sufficiency, enhance energy security and to reduce dependency on imported energies our country has invested in renewable energy sources.

India has made a significant progress in enhancing renewable energy capacity over the last decade through many landmark projects like in 2010 National Solar Mission (NSM) was launched through which India has achieved 50 GW solar capacity by 2022. Other landmark projects like Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park in Andhra Pradesh has become one of the largest solar parks globally, Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Project in Madhya Pradesh considered one of the largest single site solar power plants in India. Through wind energy projects as of 2022 India’s wind energy capacity stood at 40 GW making it one of the top wind energy producers globally. Green Energy Corridor Project initiated in 2015 with the German government integrated renewable energy with the national grid by developing transmission infrastructure. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) 2019 installed solar pumps and grid- connected solar power plants in rural India. Under Atal Jyoti Yojana 2016 solar powered LED street lights in rural, remote and tribal areas were installed. Offshore Wind Energy Policy, National Hydrogen Mission, Floating Solar Projects and National Biofuel policy, all such initiatives have successfully democratised energy access, ensuring the most remote and underserved communities have access to reliable and affordable electricity. It’s critical for reducing energy poverty and ensuring equitable development across the country. Renewable energies have made far flung areas their electrification and development possible improving the quality of lives of people. This sector has the potential to drive economic growth by creating millions of jobs from manufacturing to installation to maintenance.

The celebration of the Akshay Urja Diwas started in New Delhi in 2004 where 12,000 school children formed a human chain to promote renewable energy, later on the events were organised in Nagpur, Hyderabad, Panchkula, Haryana.
Celebration of Akshay Urja Diwas can have a profound impact on children, families, and community at large by fostering awareness, education and engagement with renewable energy and sustainable practices.

The day needs to be celebrated all across the country as every state has its unique resources and can adopt its own strategy likewise in Kashmir many areas are hilly, making conventional energy distribution challenging, promoting renewable energies can provide a reliable source for the region. Being a major tourist destination, the region can brand itself as an eco-friendly destination attracting a new segment of environmentally conscious tourists. Renewable energy adoption will help to mitigate the impact of climate change, precipitation patterns and glacial melt. Celebrating Akshay Urja Diwas in kashmir will engage the region’s youth in renewable energy education and employment opportunities, creating a skilled workforce for future. Raising awareness encourages participation hence addresses the specific regional needs, fostering sustainable development and energy security.

Celebrating this day will increase public awareness and education, behavioural change, policy support and development, community and industry engagement, promotion of renewable energy technologies and will definitely foster environmental benefits creating job opportunities and economic growth. This will mark a cultural shift towards sustainability and will surely lead India in global leadership.

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