Energy demand is increasing rapidly because of developments in the industri
al, agricultural, commercial and transportation sectors. The population ris
e and improved life style are other reasons for the increase in energy dema
nd. Since commercial energy sources are non-renewable and depleting in natu
re, it is essential to seek renewable energy sources. After a few decades,
renewables have to play a major role to meet the growing energy demand. A D
elphi study has been conducted to find the level of social acceptance in th
e utilisation of renewable energy sources for the year 2020-2021. The exper
ts' opinion revealed that 25% of total energy demand could be met by renewa
ble energy sources. An Optimal Renewable Energy Mathematical (OREM) model i
s developed to allocate the predicted renewable energy demand for different
end uses. The model is analysed to meet 20, 25 and 30% of the total energy
demand in the year 2020-2021. In the case of the 25% energy demand, the re
newable energy contribution would be 8.127 x 10(15) kJ. A sensitivity analy
sis has been done to validate the OREM model. The analysis reveals that the
energy distribution pattern changes, even with an increase of 1% energy de
mand, for which the coefficient of sensitivity is 1.84%, This study will he
lp in the formation of strategies for effective utilisation of renewable en
ergy sources in India. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.