Analytic assessment of renewable potential in Northeast India and impact of their exploitation on environment and economy

Abstract

The need for electricity all over the world is enhancing significantly. A major portion of this demand is met by fossil fuels leading to substantial mining, environmental pollution, and increment in global warming. The escalating rate of extraction is declining their reserves at an alarming rate and enhancing their price as well. Thus, it has become essential to shift to alternative resources for power generation. Northeast India has a superfluous reserve of renewable energy which can competently fulfill the electricity requirement in the region. The surplus can significantly contribute to supplying the demand of other states in the country. In addition, the use of clean energy can conserve fossil fuels and expenditure and at the same time can slow down environmental pollution. This paper comprehensively analyzes the potential of perennial assets in this area; projects their economic and ecological benefits; and also makes a brief comparison of the conventional systems with the probable green alternatives. Renewable capacity in this regime is found 66,682 MW out of which 99.51% is yet to be explored and Rs. 5.66 × 10¹² will be required to extract them. Utilization of these boons can save 187.39 Mt of combustibles and 648.61 Mt of greenhouse gasses from emission. Capital, energy, and carbon that will be invested during the installation and operation of the systems will be paid back in 3.6, 2.3, and 2.25 years, respectively. The average levelized cost of this unremitting energy will be Rs. 4.80/kWh.

Keywords: Economic benefits; Energy conservation; GHG emission; Levelized cost of energy; Northeast India; Renewable potential.