Prospects for Reducing Dependence on Fossil Fuels in the Power Sector in Maharashtra

Master's Thesis from the year 2015 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Physical Geography, Geomorphology, Environmental Studies, grade: First class (71.75%), , course: M.A. Development Planning and Administration, language: English, abstract: The demand for electricity in Maharashtra will grow by 57% in the next ten years, from 142,848 MU in 2015 to 223,595 MU in 2025, according to calculations made in this dissertation that take the population growth rate and the State Domestic Product (SDP) growth rate into account. This translates to an increase of 80,746 MU. Dependence on fossil fuels to provide this amount of electricity is an unviable option from both the environmental as well as the economic point of view. The future of Maharashtra thus depends on replacing all fossil fuel-based energy with renewable energy. This dissertation aims to assess the extent to which fossil fuel- based energy can be replaced by renewable energy in 10 years' time i.e. by 2025. By 2025, the electricity requirement of Maharashtra will be 223,595 MU. As per the energy generation addition policies of the state government, a total of 247,066 MU of electricity from fossil fuels, nuclear energy and renewable energy sources will be available in the state as of 2025 (Government of Maharashtra, 2015). If the planned generation addition in coal (8.1 GW) were not to be taken into account, a total of 198,461 MU of electrical energy would be available to the state. There would thus be a deficit of 48,605 MU, which can be replaced with renewable energy. With regard to price and value analysis, environmental pollution caused, installation time period and lifetime of the equipment and climatic conditions prevailing in Maharashtra, solar energy and onshore wind energy seem to be the most viable options to plug the supply deficit of 48,605 MU that would arise in the state by 2025. In one scenario, 70% (34,024 MU) of 48,605 MUcan be provided by solar energy and 30% (14,582 MU) can be provided by wind energy. In the second scenario, 60% (29,163 MU) can be provided by solar energy and 40% (19,442 MU) can be provided by wind energy. The replacement of 8.1 GW of coal-thermal capacity with renewable energy could potentially result in the avoidance of 40,500 premature deaths and emissions of 41 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. It would also lead to income generation of Rs. 1,266 crores to Rs. 1,486.5 crores for the general public due to the creation of new jobs in the renewable energy sector.