Introduction
India’s energy demand is expected to triple by 2047 due to population growth and industrialisation. Achieving energy independence through clean technology is critical to reducing fossil fuel imports, ensuring sustainability, and meeting climate commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

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Pathways to Energy Independence through Clean Technology

• Scaling Renewable Energy Capacity: Expand solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
  Eg: India’s target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
• Green Hydrogen Transition: Promote hydrogen as a clean fuel for industries, transport, and power generation.
  Eg: National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) aims for 5 MMT annual production by 2030.
• Energy Storage & Grid Modernisation: Invest in large-scale battery storage and smart grids to manage renewable variability.
  Eg: Development of Lithium-ion and alternative sodium-ion battery projects under NITI Aayog roadmap.
• Electric Mobility Revolution: Widespread adoption of EVs and charging infrastructure to cut oil imports.
  Eg: FAME-II scheme supporting electric buses, two-wheelers, and charging stations.
• Decentralised Clean Energy Models: Promote rooftop solar, bioenergy, and microgrids in rural areas for inclusive energy access.
  Eg: PM-KUSUM scheme supporting solar pumps for farmers.

Role of Biotechnology

• Biofuels from Crops and Waste: Biotechnology helps make ethanol and biodiesel from farm waste, algae, and other plants, reducing the need for petrol and diesel.
  Eg: Indian Oil’s 2G ethanol plant at Panipat uses crop residue for ethanol.
• Improved Energy Crops: Using genetic tools, crops like sugarcane and sorghum can be developed to grow faster and give more raw material for biofuel.
  Eg: ICAR is working on sugarcane hybrids for higher ethanol output.
• Algae for Clean Energy: Algae can be grown in ponds or tanks and engineered to produce oils and hydrogen, which can be turned into fuel.
  Eg: CSIR-IIP projects on algae-based hydrogen fuel.
• Biogas and Bio-CNG: Special microbes break down waste to produce gas, which can be cleaned and used as cooking fuel or to power vehicles.
  Eg: The SATAT scheme supports bio-CNG plants.
• Biorefineries for Green Products: Biotechnology enables setting up plants that use the same raw material to produce biofuels, eco-friendly plastics, and chemicals together.

Conclusion
Biotechnology, through biofuels, biogas, and green hydrogen, can drive India’s clean energy shift. Integrated with renewables, it supports Panchamrit targets and ensures energy independence by 2047 while advancing Net Zero by 2070.

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