The Significance of Renewable Energy and Akshay Urja Day: A Path to Sustainable Development

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction: The Significance of Renewable Energy and Akshay Urja Day
  2. The Relationship between Skill Development and Renewable Energy
  3. Akshay Urja Day in India 2024: A Brief History
  4. Why Akshay Urja Day Matters
  5. Renewable Energy: Simple Wins and Benefits
  6. Key Strategies for Realizing India’s Renewable Energy Targets
  7. The Role of SSDF in Supporting India’s Renewable Energy Goals
  8. Conclusion: The Path to Sustainable Development Through Renewable Energy

The word Akshay in Sanskrit means ‘eternal’ or ‘indestructible’, ‘Akshay Urja’ therefore, translates to ‘eternal energy’ or ‘renewable energy’, as it includes solar, wind, and hydroelectricity. These sources are essential in satisfying the growing energy requirement that results from the increasing industrialization and human population as is the case with India. In contrast to the familiar, non-renewable sources of energy such as oil, gas, and coal, which are scarce and damaging to the environment, renewable energy is abundant and friendly to the environment.

The Relationship between Skill Development and Renewable Energy

All in all, a change is possible only when the human capital is also adapted to following the changes in technology and utilizing the opportunities of renewable energy production effectively. This is where the SSDF has an important function; nurturing specialized safety skills as well as technical know-how that is applicable in the renewable energy sub-fields.
Akshay Urja Day in India 2024

India observes the Akshay Urja Day on August 20 of every year to promote the achievements and the utility of renewable sources of energy. This day is also specifically dedicated to the birthday of the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. Akshay Urja Diwas has been celebrated since its inception in the year 2004 featuring various programs such as seminars/ workshops etc throughout the nation.
The Indian government initiated Akshay Urja Day in the year 2004. The first celebration organized in New Delhi included the formation of the human chain of 12,000 students, demonstrating that everyone can join the movement for the use of renewable energy. A stamp was launched by the Prime Minister for the occasion and aimed at indicating an intention for a sustainable future.

Why Akshay Urja Day Matters

With an increasing crunch on natural resources, Akshay Urja Day is an attempt to create awareness of the development of renewable energy sources in India. The day called people on to use sources such as air, sun, and water rather than using conventional sources like oil, coal, etc. It makes us aware

Akshay Urja Day aims at the following objectives:


A day set aside to globally commemorate power or energy from natural resources is observed on August 20 every year as Akshay Urja Day. The objectives of this day align closely with SSDF’s mission:

The objectives of this day align closely with SSDF’s mission:

  1. Promoting Awareness: Informing the public about the necessity to shift to the use of renewable energy as opposed to fossil to come up with long-term solutions to current problems.
  2. Encouraging Skill Development: Stressing the importance of specific knowledge in the sphere of renewable sources to emphasize that the staff is ready to work for the benefit of this sector safely and efficiently.
  3. Supporting Economic Growth: Exemplifying because changing to renewables means that both the present energy infrastructure and future growth can be made sustainable in terms of employment and price.

Renewable Energy: Simple Wins

Renewable energy comes from natural sources that replenish faster than we use them. Sources like solar energy, biogas, hydroelectric power, and wind energy are examples of Akshay Urja. Here are some easy-to-understand advantages of renewable energy over non-renewable sources:

  1. Less Pollution: Renewable energy causes fewer emissions than fossil fuels.
  2. Cost-Effective: In many places, renewable energy is cheaper than non-renewable sources.
  3. More Jobs: The renewable energy sector creates more jobs than fossil fuels.
  4. Less Global Warming: Using more renewable energy helps fight global warming.
  5. No Pollution: Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy doesn’t pollute the air or water.

Strategies adopted for realizing the RE targets

To meet the targets of RE in India, several schemes have been I implemented. Some of the key schemes that have contributed to this include:

Some of the key schemes that have contributed to this include:

  • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan scheme (PM-KUSUM): This scheme encourages the setting up of small grid-connected power plants using solar energy systems, standalone solar pumps and solar pumping of the existing grid-connected pumps in rural areas.
  • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules: This policy is intended to develop utility-scale manufacturing of solar PV modules with higher efficiency of conversion of sunlight to electricity in India and thereby export more and less dependent on imports.
  • Grid Connected Rooftop Solar program (Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana): Under this scheme, solar PV panels are fixed on the roof of the building to cater the electricity requirement of the building. They can further store or export surplus solar power units with the rooftop solar plant to the electrical grid.
  • Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power: Started in December 2014, this programme was designed to help solar project developers establish projects quickly. It assists in developing ‘transmission infrastructure, road, water, drainage, communication network, etc., with all requisite clearances’ for the growth of various categories of solar projects.
  • Green Energy Corridor Scheme: The series of infrastructure projects that were contemplated under this scheme intended to co-ordinate the output produced by the renewable systems in powering the national grid of India.
  • National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM): MNRE formulated the NGHM with the intent to set up the manufacturing capacity of Green Hydrogen at 5 million tonnes per annum by the end of 2030. This will provide support for additional of nearly 125GW of renewable energy capacity in our country.
  • National Bioenergy Programme (NBP): Pin vita under this initiative is the application of bioenergy. It seeks the improvement of energy security in India by implementing the Waste to Energy Programme, Biomass Programme, and Biogas Programme.

 

 

The Role of SSDF in Supporting Energy Goals

Advanced Training Institute (ATI) ONGC, Goa & Safety Skill Development Foundation (SSDF), Surat, signed a Memorandum Of Association (MoA) cum Service Level Agreement (SLA) for a strategic partnership aimed at elevating safety standards and professional competencies in the industry and running various Occupational Safety Health and Environment (OSHE) programs and associated certified OSHE courses to provide up-skilling, reskilling for job opportunities both in India and overseas. The MoA, signed on the 7th of August 2024, will be valid for five years.

SSDF is the only Indian Awarding body recognized by the Government of India (through NCVET) for Short Term Training (STT) qualifications in the Occupational Safety, Health & Environment domain. SSDF & ATI ONGC in Goa, can take the lead together and tap into the potential market of the leading OSHE training services. 

FAQs

Akshay Urja Day, observed on August 20th, celebrates and promotes the use of renewable energy in India. It aims to raise awareness about sustainable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

Renewable energy is crucial for India’s growing energy needs while reducing environmental impacts. It offers long-term solutions to energy shortages and helps combat climate change by replacing fossil fuels.

Key initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Solar PV Modules, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), among others.

Effective adoption of renewable energy requires a skilled workforce trained in the latest technologies. Organizations like SSDF ensure that workers are equipped with the knowledge and safety skills needed to operate and maintain renewable energy systems efficiently.