Sustainable Development: The primary goal of renewable energy deployment in the world is to promote economic growth, enhance energy security, increase energy access, and reduce climate change. Sustainable development can be achieved by using renewable energy and providing residents’ access to inexpensive, dependable, sustainable, and contemporary energy.

India has risen to become one of the world’s most attractive renewable energy markets, thanks to strong government backing and an improving economic condition. The government has created laws, initiatives, and a welcoming atmosphere in order to attract international investment and rapidly expand the country’s renewable energy sector to achieve sustainable development.

The renewable energy sector is expected to provide a substantial number of domestic employment in the coming years.

Why is renewable energy important for sustainable development?

Renewable energies are a source of energy that is clean, limitless and becoming increasingly competitive. They vary from fossil fuels primarily in their diversity, quantity, and ability to be used everywhere in the world, but most importantly, they do not create greenhouse gases or harmful emissions. Their costs are also dropping and at a sustainable rate; however, despite their current volatility, the average cost trend for fossil fuels is in the other direction.

Clean energy’s growth is valuable for sustainable development. The data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) show: they accounted for over half of all new power production capacity added in 2014, making them the world’s second-largest source of electricity after coal.

Global electricity consumption might grow by 70% by 2040, with its proportion of energy usage growing from 18% in 2014 to 24% by 2040, owing mostly to the expanding economies of India, China, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, according to the International Energy Agency. 

Advantages of clean energy 

The development of clean energy is critical for mitigating climate change and limiting its most disastrous consequences. The year 2019 was the second-warmest on record. According to National Geographic’s special November 2015 issue on climate change, the Earth’s temperature has risen by an average of 0.85 degrees Celsius since the end of the nineteenth century.

Meanwhile, over 1.1 billion people (17% of the world’s population) lack access to power. Similarly, 2.7 billion people (38% of the population) use traditional biomass in their homes for cooking, heating, and lighting, putting their health in danger.  

The Paris Accord, adopted at the World Climate Summit in the French capital in December 2015, gave renewable energy a big boost from the worldwide community.

For the first time in history, the agreement, which went into effect in 2016, creates a binding worldwide aim. Nearly 200 signatory nations committed to reducing their emissions so that the planet’s average temperature by the end of the century remains “well below” 2 degrees Celsius, the threshold beyond which climate change will have more severe consequences. The goal is to maintain it below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Renewable energy in India

Energy is the golden thread that binds economic progress, increased social equality, and a world-friendly environment. Without energy, sustainable development is impossible.

Coal, oil, and natural gas, which are used to generate power, account for one-third of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. It is critical to improve people’s living standards by providing cleaner and more dependable power for sustainable development. India’s energy consumption is rising in order to meet the country’s current economic growth objectives. The availability of growing amounts of energy is a necessary condition for a country’s economic progress. The Ministry of Power’s National Energy Plan has produced a 10-year comprehensive action plan with the goal of providing electricity across the country, as well as a second plan to guarantee that power is delivered.

Renewable energy sources are critical for ensuring long-term energy security while reducing emissions. Renewable energy technologies are widely acknowledged as having the potential to provide a large portion of power demand while also reducing emissions. The government has built a sustainable energy supply strategy in recent years. Citizens have been encouraged to save energy by promoting the use of solar, wind, biomass, trash, and hydropower. Clean energy is clearly less damaging and, in many cases, less expensive. India aims to generate 175 GW of renewable energy, with 100 GW coming from solar, 10 GW from biopower, 60 GW from wind power, and 5 GW from small hydropower facilities by 2022.

One of the essential steps you can take for sustainable development and to decrease your environmental effect is to use clean, renewable energy. Clean energy also decreases hazardous pollution, poisonous buildups in our air and water, and the consequences of coal mining and gas extraction. However, rebuilding our fossil-fuel infrastructure will take time and will require strong, continuous support from both state and federal requirements to expand renewable energy generation as well as consumer and corporate demand for clean energy. 

Energy efficiency is a critical component of decreasing our contribution to climate change and ensuring a long-term energy future. You spend energy every time you turn on a light switch, use your computer, take a hot shower, or turn on your heater. The average American household consumes around 11,000 kWh per year, and most of that energy is wasted. You can save money while helping the environment by using less energy without compromising comfort.

Energy Safety

Renewable energy offers consistent electricity and fuel diversity, enhancing energy security, growth of sustainable development and lowering the danger of fuel leaks while also reducing the demand for imported fuels. Renewable energy also contributes to the conservation of the country’s natural resources.

Growth of the Economy

The renewable energy business employs more people than the fossil fuel industry, resulting in more jobs being created on average. Due to increasing household earnings, the sector has a beneficial ripple effect along the renewable energy supply chain and into unrelated industries.

Stability in Prices

Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal don’t use gasoline and don’t require transportation; thus, their prices are more stable, leading to sustainable development. Several electric companies take this into account when calculating retail power rates, exempting consumers who purchase renewable energy from some fuel-related fees.

Renewable energy technologies are environmentally friendly energy sources that have a lesser environmental effect than traditional energy sources and are crucial for sustainable development.