RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES AND GREEN ECONOMY IN SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

The rapid economic expansion and surging energy demands of South Asian nations have intensified their reliance on fossil fuels, exacerbating environmental degradation, urban air pollution, and severe carbon emission trajectories. Transitioning toward renewable energy resources represents an indispensable pathway for fostering a sustainable green economy across the region. This paper examines the current landscape of renewable energy adoption—focusing on solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass potential—within key South Asian economies. By evaluating empirical energy matrices, infrastructural investments, and policy frameworks, this study investigates how structural barriers, including financial constraints, inadequate grid integration, and regulatory friction, impede clean energy transitions. The findings indicate that while abundant natural renewable endowments exist, realizing a green economy requires coordinated regional cooperation, targeted green financing, and modernized grid infrastructures. The study underscores that accelerating renewable energy integration is vital to achieving long-term energy security, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth in South Asia.