Plan panel launches website for long-term energy security scenarios

Website says India's import dependencefor energy could rise three-folds by 2047 in a worst-case scenario

The Planning Commission, the government's key policy advisory body, today launched a website dedicated to projectIndia's energy security statistics over the next three decades through 2047 undervarious scenarios of policy implementation.

The website is meant to act as a toolfor building long-term energy scenarios by generating the demand and supplyoptions.

The enddemand-supply numbers are generated under different combinations of efficiencyand technology adoption in demand sectors and development of energy resourcesof the country in the supply sectors.

"We generally make forecasts. But, here we have presented a platform for thegeneral public to help frame and understand their own preferred ways of energysecurity scenarios," Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said afterlaunching the website here. He emphasized the website should not be seen asmaking forecasts.

Accordingto the web-based platform, in a worst-case scenario of planning andimplementation of policies labeled "least effort", India's import dependence forenergy could rise to 84% in 2047 from around 31% at present andper capita emissions will increase from the current 1.4 tonne to 7.6 tonne by20147.

The websitehas been developed in collaboration with the government of UK and researchinstitutions including The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI),Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Prayas and Centre of Study of Science,Technology and Policy (CSTEP).