A recent report from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) reveals stark energy consumption disparities across India’s states, with six states—Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Assam—recording per capita energy consumption far below the national average of 21 gigajoules (GJ). These states, with populations of over millions, consume less than 6 GJ per person annually, placing them at the bottom of the Human Development Index (HDI) and exacerbating their challenges in education and income. While smaller states have shown better progress in certain areas, larger states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are holding back national development potential.
The report, commissioned by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, underscores the need for these lagging states to enhance energy access as a step toward improving their HDI. Energy consumption, an essential component of HDI, remains a significant challenge, especially for states with high populations but low access to electricity. With energy consumption directly linked to development, experts point out that bridging this gap is key to moving India toward a higher HDI. According to IIMA Professor Amit Garg, smaller states have shown more promise in terms of energy access and growth, yet the larger states remain critical for achieving substantial national progress.
From a civic perspective, the lack of energy access is not just an economic issue but a fundamental civic one that affects the daily lives of millions. In these states, the inability to access adequate electricity and clean energy sources hampers not only living standards but also limits educational opportunities, health outcomes, and economic growth. This issue highlights the urgent need for government intervention to ensure equitable energy distribution across regions. For example, the average years of schooling are significantly lower in states like Bihar, where the national average stands at just 4.6 years.
Sustainability plays a crucial role in this equation. Transitioning to clean and affordable energy is not just a matter of increasing access but of doing so sustainably. The report points out that coal, which remains a major energy source, will continue to play a pivotal role in the energy mix for the next two decades. However, sustainable energy solutions such as solar and wind must be integrated into the system, especially for states with lower consumption. This approach will ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future while addressing the energy needs of these underdeveloped regions. The challenge lies in managing the shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources, which requires careful policy planning, infrastructure development, and investment in clean technologies.
