Essay on Energy Crisis in India and Its Solution : Industrialization and economic growth of a country are dependent upon the adequate availability of cheap sources of energy. The traditional sources of energy are exhausting at a rapid speed and now the world is on the brink of energy crisis. The situation may become very horrible in the near future. It is therefore necessary to take timely steps to conserve the non-renewable sources of energy, find out alternative sources of energy and explore the possibilities of generating power from ocean waves and tides.
Essay on Energy Crisis in India and Its Solution
Industrialization and economic growth of a country are
dependent upon the adequate availability of cheap sources of energy. The
traditional sources of energy are exhausting at a rapid speed and now the world
is on the brink of energy crisis. The situation may become very horrible in the
near future. It is therefore necessary to take timely steps to conserve the
non-renewable sources of energy, find out alternative sources of energy and
explore the possibilities of generating power from ocean waves and tides.
In the recent past, there was sudden rise in oil prices by
the oil producing countries who organized themselves under an organization
called OPE (Oil Producing and Exporting Countries). The result was that the
rich Western nations as also developing countries had to spend huge money for
important oil from the oil producing countries. Therefore, it became necessary
to new sources of energy, conserve non-renewable sources of energy and domestic
resources.
India too had been using oil to a large extent as a main
source of energy. In view of the sharp spurt in the price of oil, the
Government started to explore new oil wells in the different parts of the
country. We also began to think about alternative sources of energy. In India,
non-conventional sources of energy such as firewood, cow dung, vegetable wastes
and mechanical energy derived from animal power and manpower, play a dominant
role. Coal and oil are the most important primary sources of conventional
energy. Electricity generated from coal and oil is the principal secondary
source of conventional energy in our country. Hydro-electricity generated from
water has also become a significant primary source of energy in India.
Bio-gas produced from garbage, sewage and other materials is
an alternative source of energy. Solar energy is yet another form of
alternative energy. Researchers are being carried out to harness this source of
energy. Tidal waves, ocean waves and wind are other sources of alternative. In
India, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka are utilizing wind energy
on a large scale. Wave energy project has also been installed near
Thiruvananthapuram.
Natural gas is a potential source of energy. Gas deposits
have discovered in several developing countries including India. Gases generate
more energy than oil. Besides, cost of gas development is also lower than that
of oil. The developed nations of world should render every assists to the
developing countries to achieve the natural gas as an alternate source of
energy.
Nuclear energy is the most important source of energy. Since
the coal and oil which are the primary source of conventional energy are
limited in quantity and their resources are exhausting at a rapid speed, India
and other developed countries of the world had to think of nuclear energy as an
alternative source of energy. The major objectives of Indian nuclear programs
are to generate electricity, utilize radio-isotopes for bringing about
improvement in industries, agriculture, medicine and other areas of national
health and economy. In India, the first atomic reactor was setup in the year
1955 in Trombay Island of Bombay. Its chief aim was to generate nuclear energy.
Kalpakkam Atomic Powerhouse, Tamil Nadu, Rana Pratap atomic Energy Powerhouse,
Rajasthan, Narora Atomic Energy Powerhouse, UP and Tarapur Atomic Energy
Powerhouse are the other centers of nuclear
energy in India. Critics of nuclear energy argue that strict safety meal
has to be taken at the nuclear energy generating centers so that there are no chances
of an accidental release of radioactivity into the atmosphere. The disposal of
nuclear waste is likely to pose yet another problem as it remains radio-active
for thousands of years. But in spite of all these arguments, the developed as
well as developing countries have decided to go for nuclear energy. India has large
resources of Thorium and Uranium. Hence there is great scope for the
development of nuclear energy.
Apart from additional generation of energy, energy
conservation is equally important. This can be done by reducing or eliminating
certain energy-using activities. Other conservation measures may require
substitution of energy by other factors of production such as capital or labor.
On an average, energy consumption in most developing countries can be reduced
by nearly 15 percent through increase in efficiency. Both Government and public
should participate in the energy conservation movement. Proper and regular
maintenance of vehicles would not only give us extra mileage and save fuel, it
would also make cities pollution-free. By using high grade lubricants and
friction-less foot valves in irrigation pump-sets, 45 percent of energy can be
saved. Replacing inefficient incandescent bulbs by compact fluorescent lamps or
tubes, nearly 3/4 of energy can be saved. Energy saved is as good as energy
generated. What is needed urgently is generating mass awareness about energy
conservation and effective energy education among the general public and
government machinery.
Energy crisis is a common issue for all the countries of the
world. A cooperative effort would, therefore, certainly- help in meeting the
challenge successfully and save us from the threat of energy crisis.
A vigilant and effective energy strategy is required so that
the Program in regard to economic growth and industrialization may proceed
smoothly and there is no hindrance on account of paucity of energy, resources.
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