Bhubaneswar: Orissa is having a great opportunity for expanding energy access for people, especially those in rural areas, said Professor at University of Chicago Michael Greenstone here Monday.
Addressing the Eighth edition of Orissa Knowledge Hub (OKH) lecture series at the Secretariat here on ‘Energy Security and Innovative solutions to Energy Environmental challenges”, Greenstone said, “Development in Orissa has been visible and impressive during the last 10 years. Availability and access to energy is very critical to development and energy access is a major problem in many parts of the globe. This state is having a great opportunity for expanding energy access for people.”
There is a great variation in energy access and consumption pattern in various parts of the world. In USA, the per capita energy consumption is around 13,000 KW hour per year while in many parts of Europe and Germany, the per capita consumption is around 5,000 to 7,000 KW hour per year, he said.
While in China per capita consumption is around 2,700 KW hour per year, the figure stands at 1,400 KW hour in India. In Orissa, the electricity access and consumption is comparatively higher in comparison with many Indian states. The per capita electricity consumption in the state is around 1200 KW hour per year, he pointed out.
Fossil fuels used for power generation caused climate change, which is a major cause of rising pollution levels and putting direct impact on longevity of life and life expectancy, Greenstone added.
He also threw light on how to get access to clean energy with affordable costs. He suggested three solutions for pricing the conventional energy taking into consideration its full social cost.
He also highlighted the need for better pollution audit and research policy partnership.
On a media query after the lecturer Michael said, “There is a large scope for collaboration between state government and University of Chicago. The government has taken the right step in initiating the process through the methods of knowledge sharing. We will work together in future specially in the areas of energy and environment challenges”.
Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan said, “We invited Prof Michael to listen from him about the future of fossil fuel and how do they collaborate with various state governments for addressing energy and environmental challenges. The discussion also threw light on future of coal use and its possible impact on the economy of Orissa.
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