Bhubaneswar: Feb 21: Attending the Odisha Knowledge Hub Lecture series here at state capital of Odisha, Prof Michael Greenstone from University of Chicago said, it is now the challenge before every nation to meet the energy demand of people at an affordable cost. He further said with examples how there is a great variation in energy access and consumption pattern in various parts of the world. Per capital consumption of energy in USA is around 13000 kilo watt hour (kWh) whereas in many other parts of Europe and Germany it is around 7000 kwh per annum. In countries like India, it is 1400 kwh, which is lower than China even. He said, in Odisha, electricity access and consumption is comparatively better in comparison to many other Indian states. The per capita electricity consumption in Odisha is around 1200 kWh.
Speaking on the issue of climate change, he said, climate change due to excess burning of fossil fuel is the other area of concern. As energy is the key factor for the economic growth of a nation, each nation should look to achieve energy security, but causing less damage to the environment. He suggested that the conventional energy should be priced taking into consideration its full social cost and there should be more investment in innovations, research and development activities. Further, Greenstone told reporters, ‘State Government of Odisha has taken the right step in initiating the process of collaboration between Government of Odisha and University of Chicago through the methods of knowledge sharing. Next, we can work together especially in the areas of energy and environment challenges’.
