COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ENERGY DEMAND AND SUPPLY SCENARIO FOR UTTARAKHAND AND GUJARAT STATES

Abstract

India's diverse geography, burgeoning economy, and massive population create a complex energy landscape where managing supply and demand remains a constant challenge. This dissertation addresses this challenge through a comparative analysis of Uttarakhand and Gujarat, exploring their pathways towards a sustainable energy future. The research employs the Energy Plan tool to model potential energy scenarios for both states in the years 2029–2030. To establish a baseline, meticulous data collection will be conducted for the reference year (2019–2020) from reliable sources such as NITI Aayog, Central Electricity Authority reports, and official state government publications. This data will encompass crucial details like total electricity demand in each state, a breakdown of existing energy generation sources (coal, oil, natural gas, and renewables like solar and wind), historical fuel consumption trends for conventional sources, generation and capacity data for hydropower. Leveraging research data, the Energy Plan tool has projected various energy scenarios for the target years. These scenarios has evaluated through key performance indicators (KPIs), including: the percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources, a crucial metric for measuring progress towards sustainability; total fuel consumption, which reflects resource utilization; annual CO2 emissions, a vital indicator of environmental impact; and finally, hourly and monthly variations in electricity demand, production, and supply, which provide a deeper understanding of the dynamic nature of energy usage and estimate investment costs across various scenarios. The investment cost refers to the additional cost required to increase the capacity of energy sources from 2019-20 to 2029-30. This will allow for informed decision-making regarding the financial feasibility of the project. This comparative approach vital for determining the feasibility of both states achieving complete reliance on renewable energy and hydropower storage to meet future electricity demands. Ultimately, the main objective to ascertain if a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and a transition away from traditional energy sources are achievable goals. By analyzing these factors, the study aims to guide both Uttarakhand and Gujarat towards a more ecologically conscious future by supporting the adoption of effective renewable energy solutions.