As oil wars threaten the world, India moves towards energy independence
The climate change phenomenon had resulted in predictions as regards water wars between countries, states or groups over rights to access water resources, in the near future. However, before these predictions could come true, conflicts related to oil have started threatening the world by affecting global security and economies. The Iraq-Kuwait War, the Iran-Iraq War, and the ongoing escalation of the pressure campaign by the US against Venezuela, including a naval blockade of sanctioned oil tankers and multiple interdictions of tankers carrying Venezuelan crude oil, are all examples of the oil wars.
The global oil reserves are depleting, with estimates suggesting that the known, conventionally accessible resources may last approximately 47 years to 56 years at their current consumption rates. In fact, India too got pulled into the global conflicts related to oil trade as tensions escalated between New Delhi and Washington last
August, when US President Donald Trump doubled duties on Indian goods to 50 percent, including a 25 percent levy in response to Russian crude trade. The non-renewable energy derived from fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas needs replacement, and fast!
The ongoing India Energy Week (IEW) 2026, in South Goa, is
therefore an important event as the world is navigating rising energy demand, geopolitical uncertainty, and accelerating climate commitments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the IEW, said that India has emerged as a land of immense opportunities for the global energy sector, underlining that the country is moving beyond energy security towards the larger goal of energy independence. He also stated that India aims to meet 15 per cent of its energy demand through Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), while noting that the country currently ranks second globally in refining capabilities and is on track to become the world’s largest refining hub.
The Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, shared Goa’s vision for sustainable development, including a long-term roadmap to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2050, and further highlighted the importance of balancing the green economy with the blue economy, ensuring environmental sustainability alongside responsible use of ocean resources. In fact, Goa, from time to time, has displayed its keenness to support and adopt alternate energy. To promote renewable energy and reduce dependence on conventional power sources, the state government had recently rolled out a solar power project using ultra-light, flexible solar PV sheets, a technology that is new and emerging in India and different from traditional heavy solar panels. Furthermore, in a boost to Goa’s renewable energy generation, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has agreed to give approval for a 257 m² solar thermal field project slated to come up at Goa Medical College (GMC).
The companies dealing with renewable energy are ready to invest in Goa. Fortunately, Goa has a huge potential for harnessing solar energy because of its tropical climatic condition, and using wind energy due to the consistent gusty winds largely influenced by the state’s coastal geography. The state government, however, should have clarity on policy pertaining to such investments. Goa handles a large tourism industry and therefore, there is lot of electricity consumption in the state. Therefore, the generation of alternate energy would be highly beneficial for Goa.
Shripad Naik, the Member of Parliament from the North Goa constituency, is fortunately the Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy. If Goa can make use of his office to derive maximum renewable energy, it would not only be advantageous for the state but also set an example for other states.
