Long Term Scenarios for Bioenergy in India

The National Action Plan for Climate Change of India considers renewable energy as a key thrust area. This paper focuses on one such renewable energy source, bioenergy which exists in diverse forms and finds applications in varied energy supply and demand sectors. Two long term scenarios for bioenergy up to 2050, business-as-usual (BAU) and green energy (GE) are assessed using a bottom up energy system model ANSWER-MARKAL. The analysis focuses on three major end use sectors, transport, electricity, and residential. Overall energy demand in 2050 increases under GE on account of increased penetration of renewables and biomass. CO2 emissions rise by 87% under GE compared to 346% rise under BAU during the period 2010 to 2050. Co-benefits in terms of better energy security, energy access, and reduced emissions are obtained under GE.