Energy is fundamental to development, powering homes, schools, and industries. While fossil fuels dominate global energy use, their environmental costs demand a shift towards sustainable sources. India exemplifies the energy-development link and the inequalities in access. Expanding energy access equitably while reducing emissions is crucial for a sustainable future.
Energy is the fundamental driver of development. It powers our homes, schools, hospitals, and industries, making it essential to improving lives. At its core, energy is defined as the ability to do work. However, in reality, energy represents much more—it is a measure of power, progress, and even inequality.
From the moment we wake up and switch on a light or boil water for tea, to the internet we use and the water we drink, energy underpins everything. Often invisible, energy is foundational to our comfort, economy, and ecology.
The history of civilizations has been shaped by their energy sources. In pre-industrial times, wood and animal power were predominant. The industrial revolution was powered by coal, and the 20th century saw oil become the dominant energy source. Today, we stand at a critical juncture. Although fossil fuels still dominate, their environmental costs—climate change, air pollution, and resource depletion—are forcing a global rethink.
Development is powered by energy. Whether it is lighting homes, powering schools and hospitals, or enabling industries, energy access is essential. A graph comparing the Human Development Index (HDI) versus energy consumption per person shows that countries with higher energy use tend to have higher HDI scores. However, this relationship is not linear.
India lies at a critical point on this curve, where even small increases in energy access can yield significant improvements in well-being. Interestingly, countries like Sri Lanka and the Philippines, with lower per capita energy consumption than India, have higher HDI scores. This indicates that energy access is not just a technical issue but a developmental investment.
The Earth receives an immense amount of energy from the sun—estimated at 120,000 terawatts daily—enough to power humanity thousands of times over. Yet, humanity consumes only about 15 terawatts, and overwhelmingly relies on fossil fuels.
Despite the abundance of solar energy, over 80% of global energy use comes from finite fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. This reliance results in rising carbon emissions, health costs due to air pollution, and energy access injustice, especially affecting women and rural populations. This is a Faustian bargain: we gain power but at significant environmental and social costs.
To understand energy access and inequality, imagine India as a community of 1,000 people:
Regarding assets and energy use:
Income distribution is highly unequal: the richest 100 earn half the income, while the bottom 500 earn about one-sixteenth.
India's total energy can be visualized as a tree with 1,000 fruits:
This analogy highlights not only how energy is used but also who is left out, revealing deep inequalities in energy access. Even those without direct electricity access rely indirectly on it through trains, hospitals, and infrastructure.
A 2020 study by the Centre for Equity Studies (CES) showed asset ownership and energy use across income categories in India:
India's power sector accounts for 76% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2024 report by the Centre for Science and Environment. If every person consumed energy like the average American, humanity would need two and a half Earths to sustain that lifestyle.
The path of high energy consumption is unsustainable. Therefore, expanding energy access must be balanced with reducing emissions. This requires smarter design, equity, and frugality.
Energy is indispensable for development and improving quality of life. However, the current reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and exacerbates inequalities. India exemplifies the challenges and opportunities in expanding energy access equitably while addressing environmental concerns. The future demands innovative solutions that provide energy for all without compromising the planet's health.
