India has made significant progress in ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy in recent years, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1. Affordable Energy: India has taken numerous steps to make energy more affordable. The government has implemented policies to promote renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. This has led to a decline in renewable energy prices, making them increasingly competitive with fossil fuels. Additionally, subsidies and tax benefits have been provided to consumers to reduce the cost of energy consumption.

2. Reliable Energy Supply: India has focused on enhancing the reliability of its energy supply. The country has improved its electricity infrastructure, reducing power outages and ensuring a more consistent energy supply. Initiatives like the Saubhagya scheme have aimed to provide electricity connections to every household, further improving access to reliable energy. The expansion of grid networks and the implementation of smart grids have also contributed to a more reliable energy supply.

3. Sustainable Energy: India has been proactive in promoting sustainable energy sources. The government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, aiming to achieve 450 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. As of now, India has made significant progress towards achieving this goal, with a substantial increase in renewable energy installations. The country has also invested in clean cooking solutions, such as LPG connections and biogas plants, reducing reliance on traditional and polluting cooking fuels like firewood.

4. Modern Energy: India has been focusing on modernizing its energy sector. It has been leveraging digital technology to improve energy management, enhance efficiency, and reduce energy loss during transmission and distribution. The adoption of smart meters and grid automation has played a crucial role in modernizing the energy sector. Moreover, the government's push towards electric mobility aims to promote the use of clean energy in the transportation sector.

Despite these advancements, challenges and unequal access to energy remain in certain parts of India. Some rural areas still lack access to reliable energy sources, hindering their development. Continuous efforts are required to bridge this gap and ensure that every citizen has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy to achieve the SDGs. Nonetheless, India’s progress in expanding energy access and transitioning towards sustainable energy sources is commendable.

Access to Energy: A Sine Qua Non for India's SDG Journey

The statement "Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" holds profound truth, especially for a country like India. While India has made notable strides in expanding energy access and transitioning towards cleaner sources, significant challenges remain. Here's a breakdown of progress and areas for improvement:

Progress Made:

• Improved Energy Access: India has significantly reduced the number of people living without access to electricity. The government's initiatives like the Saubhagya scheme have played a crucial role in achieving this goal.
• Renewable Energy Growth: India has emerged as a global leader in renewable energy deployment, particularly in solar and wind power. This has helped reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to climate change mitigation.
• Increased Energy Efficiency: Efforts to promote energy efficiency in industries, buildings, and transportation sectors have yielded positive results, leading to lower energy consumption and emissions.
• Technological Advancements: India is actively investing in research and development in energy technologies, including smart grids, energy storage, and advanced biofuels, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.

Challenges and Areas for Improvement:

• Uneven Distribution of Access: While overall access to electricity has improved, disparities exist across regions and socio-economic groups. Rural areas and marginalized communities continue to face significant energy poverty.
• Reliability and Affordability: Ensuring reliable and affordable energy for all remains a key challenge. The intermittent nature of renewable energy requires robust grid infrastructure and effective storage solutions.
• Transitioning Away from Coal: India heavily relies on coal for electricity generation, contributing significantly to air pollution and climate change. Accelerating the transition away from coal towards cleaner alternatives requires significant policy support and investment.
• Last Mile Connectivity: Bringing energy to remote and off-grid areas remains a challenge, requiring innovative solutions like mini-grids and decentralized energy systems.

Moving Forward:

To truly realize the potential of energy as a driver of sustainable development, India needs to:

• Prioritize Equity and Inclusion: Ensure that all citizens have equal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.
• Invest in Smart Grids and Energy Storage: Build robust and intelligent energy infrastructure to manage the integration of renewables and ensure grid stability.
• Promote Energy Efficiency: Implement stricter energy efficiency standards across sectors and encourage the adoption of energy-saving technologies.
• Develop and Deploy Decentralised Solutions: Invest in off-grid solutions like mini-grids and solar home systems to address the needs of rural and remote communities.
• Leverage Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage private sector participation in the energy sector to mobilize investments and accelerate innovation.

Conclusion:

While India has made significant strides in expanding energy access and transitioning towards cleaner sources, challenges remain. By addressing these challenges and prioritizing equity, reliability, and sustainability, India can unlock the full potential of energy as a force multiplier for achieving its Sustainable Development Goals. The journey towards a sustainable energy future is a long one, but with continued commitment and strategic action, India can pave the way for a brighter and more equitable future for all.

The statement highlighting the importance of access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is indeed a crucial one. India, being a rapidly growing economy, has made significant progress in this regard, but there is still more work to be done. Here's a commentary on India's progress:

Electrification:

• India has made impressive strides in electrifying its vast population. The government's flagship program, Saubhagya, launched in 2017, aims to provide electricity to all households by 2022. As of 2022, the electrification rate has increased to over 99%, with only a few villages remaining unelectrified.
• The government has also launched schemes like the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) to strengthen the rural power distribution network and provide electricity to rural areas.

Renewable Energy:

• India has set ambitious targets to increase its renewable energy capacity to 40% of the total installed capacity by 2030.
• The country has made significant progress in solar energy, with installed capacity growing from 2.6 GW in 2014 to over 40 GW in 2022. The solar tariff has also decreased significantly, making it competitive with traditional sources of energy.
• Wind energy has also seen significant growth, with installed capacity reaching over 38 GW in 2022.

Energy Access:

• India has made progress in providing access to energy, especially in rural areas, through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which provides LPG connections to households below the poverty line.
• The government has also launched the National Biofuel Policy, which aims to increase the use of biofuels and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Energy Efficiency:

• India has implemented various energy-efficient programs, such as the Energy Conservation Building Code, which aims to reduce energy consumption in buildings.
• The government has also launched initiatives like the Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) program, which promotes the use of energy-efficient LED bulbs.

Challenges:

• Despite the progress made, India still faces significant challenges in achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.
• The country's per-capita energy consumption remains low, and energy poverty persists, especially in rural areas.
• The transition to cleaner energy sources is also slow, with fossil fuels still dominating the energy mix.

Conclusion:

India has made tangible progress in increasing access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, which is essential for achieving the SDGs. However, the country still needs to overcome various challenges to ensure that all its citizens have access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. The government's continued efforts and commitment to promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy access will be crucial in achieving the SDGs and ensuring a sustainable energy future for India.