TY - BOOK AU - Maithani, P.C. AU - Gupta, Deepak TI - Achieving universal energy access in India: changes and the way forward SN - 9789351501374 U1 - 333.7932 MAI-P PY - 2015/// CY - India PB - Sage Publications KW - Renewable energy sources KW - Rural development KW - Rural electrification KW - India KW - Energy development KW - Energy policy N1 - Forty-five per cent of India's rural population is without electricity and over 85 per cent is dependent on biomass to meet its cooking needs. Projections suggest that if the present trends continue, a large section of India's rural population will remain without access to modern energy services even in 2030. It also follows that energy access is not only a critical component for reducing rural poverty and drudgery but it is also one of the fundamental conditions for holistic rural development. The book takes a critical look at the present energy policy and addresses ways to improve energy penetration. In doing so it encourages the use of renewable energy as an alternate medium, challenging the traditional power proponents. Table of Contents: Preface List of Abbreviations The Importance of Energy Access Global Status India Electricity Status Rural Electrification - Policy Landscape and Status of Access Renewable Energy Options for Electricity Access Challenges for Universal Electricity Access and Way Forward Access to Cooking Energy Subsidies and Funding Energy Access and Rural Development The Last Word Bibliography Index ER -