ACT Apr-Jun10.p65 - Petroleum Conservation Research Association

Together We Can Achieve!
Efficient energy management involves creating systems and
practices to maintain balance between supply and consumption
on a sustained basis. To sustain the economic growth rate of 8 to
9%, India’s energy needs are projected to grow at a rate of 3.0 –
3.5% per annum over the next few years. This implies many-fold
increase in India’s energy requirement over the next 25 years. In
such a scenario, conservation of energy becomes imperative.
4
Energy is the most vital input for the socioeconomic
development of a nation. India’s energy
consumption is growing at a high rate to meet the
needs of growing population and increasing
economic growth and development. India ranks as
the World’s Seventh largest energy producer and
the fifth largest energy consumer. The hydrocarbon
sector plays a pivotal role in India’s energy sector
with a 45% share in the commercial energy basket.
Predictions are that fossil fuels would
remain the dominant source of energy in the near
future.
As a result of very steep increase in crude oil prices
in the recent past, the impact felt across the world
has been severe. Our domestic crude production
is unable to keep pace with high growth in demand
of oil and gas resulting in heavy dependence (to
active conservation techniques
the extent of 80%) on imports. There is, therefore
imperative need for efficient utilization of existing
energy resources. Hence, a very high priority has
been given by the Government for conservation of
petroleum products so as to reduce ever-increasing
gap between demand and indigenous supply and
also to contain the pollution.
We have been striving for the past few decades to
fulfill our energy requirements. India, with 17% of
the world population and just less than 1% of the
world’s known oil and natural gas reserves is going
to face serious energy challenges in the coming
decades. There is a challenge to meet the energy
requirements of all segments of population in an
efficient, reliable and affordable manner while being
sensitive to the concern for environmental
protection.