Renewable energy: An overview on its contribution in current energy scenario of India

Energy is the major source for the economic development of any country. In case of the developing country like India, shortage of electricity work as a barrier for development. In recent years, India's energy consumption has been increasing at a relatively fast rate due to population growth and economic development. Rapid growth of the Indian economy places heavy demand of electric power. Presently most of the electric demand fulfilled by coal power plants and creates pressure on fossils fuel. Coal-based power generation is characterized by local and regional environmental degradation as well as greenhouse gas emissions, leading to climate change. Thus, there is need of enhance energy security along with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy is one of the environmentally friendly sources of energy. In present energy scenario harnessing of renewable potential in effective manner is becoming need of the era, which can provide sustainable power supply as well as mitigate the negative environmental impact due to fossil fuel. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.