How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour?

Q6. How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour? (150 Words)

Approach

Begin with India’s high energy import dependence and the 2047 energy independence goal, then outline clean technology pathways such as renewables, green hydrogen, EVs, energy efficiency, and circular economy solutions. Next, highlight biotechnology’s role in biofuels, biogas, biohydrogen, carbon capture, and waste-to-energy for reducing fossil imports and managing waste sustainably. Conclude by linking government initiatives like Ethanol Blending, SATAT, emphasizing how biotechnology and clean technology together ensure energy security and sustainable growth.

India, currently the world’s third-largest energy consumer, imports nearly 85% of its crude oil and over 50% of its gas. Achieving energy independence by 2047 (Amrit Kaal target) requires a decisive shift from fossil fuels to clean technology solutions. At the same time, biotechnology offers innovative pathways for sustainable fuels, energy efficiency, and waste-to-energy transitions.

Pathways for Energy Independence through Clean Technology

Scaling Renewable Energy: Expanding solar, wind, and hybrid power projects, especially in resource-rich states.

- Achieving the target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Green Hydrogen Revolution: National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to produce 5 MMT by 2030, replacing imported natural gas and petroleum in refineries, fertilizers, and mobility.
Energy Storage & Grid Modernization: Investing in battery storage systems and pumped hydro to manage renewable intermittency.
Electric Mobility Transition: Expanding EV adoption with domestic battery manufacturing under PLI schemes.
Bioenergy and Waste-to-Energy: Bio-CNG, ethanol blending (20% by 2025), and biomass co-firing in thermal plants.
Energy Efficiency & Demand Management: Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, UJALA LED programme, and smart metering reduce energy demand.
Circular Economy: Converting agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, and industrial by-products into clean fuels.

Role of Biotechnology in Achieving Energy Independence

Biofuels Development: Second-generation ethanol from crop residues (e.g., stubble in Punjab-Haryana) reducing crude oil imports.

- Algal biofuels and advanced biodiesel offering carbon-neutral fuel alternatives.
Biogas and Bio-CNG: Using anaerobic digestion of municipal waste and livestock dung for transport and cooking fuel.
- Eg: SATAT Scheme promotes compressed biogas plants.
Biohydrogen production: Microorganisms like cyanobacteria and algae produce hydrogen through photobiological processes.
Methanol Economy: Biotechnology enables conversion of biomass, municipal solid waste, and captured CO₂ into methanol through microbial fermentation and catalytic bio-processes.
Genetic Engineering for Energy Crops: Developing high-yield, drought-resistant energy crops like Jatropha and Napier grass for biofuel feedstock.
Enhanced oil recovery: Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR), uses microbes or their metabolites to recover residual oil trapped in reservoirs.
Carbon Capture through Bio-innovation: Microbial and algal systems to capture industrial CO₂ and convert it into biofuels or bioplastics.
Industrial Bioprocessing: Enzymatic and microbial innovations lowering the cost of bio-refineries, making them viable competitors to fossil-based refineries.
Circular Bio-Economy: Biotechnology enables conversion of agricultural waste, sewage, and food waste into energy, aligning with both Swachh Bharat and energy security goals.

Biotechnology is central to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat in energy: it not only reduces crude oil imports but also manages waste, generates rural income, and mitigates carbon emissions. With initiatives like the National Bio-Energy Mission, Ethanol Blending Programme, SATAT, and GOBAR-DHAN, India is moving towards a bio-based circular economy, where biotechnology acts as the bridge between energy independence and sustainable development.