World Earth Day is observed every year on April 22 across the world in order to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote actions to protect our planet. This annual observance is not just a day on the calendar; it’s a global call to action, urging individuals, communities, and governments to work together for a sustainable future. The theme for World Earth Day 2025 is ‘Our power, our planet’ an idea centered on taking action through education, advocacy and community support. It aims to triple renewable energy generation by 2030.
Renewable energy comes from natural sources that won’t run out — like the sun, wind and water. It uses the sun’s rays to generate electricity or harnesses the wind to spin large turbines. Meghalaya can generate about 3,669 MW from various renewable energy sources and about 3,000 MW from solar energy. Apart from solar energy, Meghalaya can also tap 165 MW of bio energy, 90 MW from wind energy and 414 MW from small hydro energy.
The State already has a policy in place that outlines the state’s comprehensive approach to addressing energy challenges and promoting sustainable development in its power sector. Through this policy, the state aims at setting up Solar Power Projects with a cumulative capacity of a minimum of 100 MW by 2030. For Wind, the National Institute of Wind Energy has estimated a potential of 44 MW of Wind Energy has estimated a potential of 44 MW of Wind Energy in the state at the 50-meter level. This potential further increases to 82 MW at the 80-meter level. The Policy aims to harness the wind potential in the state to its maximum level, both at 50 meters and 80 meters, by 2030.
On its road, Meghalaya has implemented Solar Cold Storage and Solar Food Processing units, enabling efficient and sustainable energy utilisation in the State. But there is a hiccup in implementing the Pump Storage Projects (PSP) due to funds. Globally the shift towards renewable energy is gaining pace and Meghalaya has to explore rugged paths to revolutionise energy access in the State with the centre’s aid. The government has to set policies, providing incentives for renewable energy development, ensuring equitable access to energy, while citizens have to recognise that climate change and energy poverty are global issues and individuals can contribute by adopting energy-efficient practices, supporting renewable energy businesses, and advocating for government policies that promote a transition to clean energy.
World Earth Day is a day to reflect that renewable energy is the only way forward for a healthier, cleaner future by supporting renewable energy initiatives and making sustainable choices in our daily lives.
