Normally various organisations are preoccupied with predicting energy demands. In order to understand future growth patterns, it is desirable to see the distribution of energy amongst various sectors and amongst various sources. Such a macro-level study will reveal the critical areas which need strengthening. Table 1 gives the sourcewise energy consumption in Karnataka for the year 1979-80 and partially for the year 1982-83 in terms of million tons of coal replacement (a unit identified by the Fuel Policy Committee, Government of India, 1974). Some interesting aspects that can be seen from this table are;

i) the top position is occupied by fire wood;

ii) oil is the next important resource, accounting for 26.7% of energy in 79-80 (55.07% of commercial energy).

Table 2 illustrates sectoral distribution of energy for the year 1979-80. It also compares energy/unit output for Karnataka and India. From this, we can see that;

i) Industry and transport are major consumers, followed by domestic users;

ii) Industries are energy intensive as can be seen from the fact of 1.96 tons of coal replacement is needed for Rs. 1000/- of output in Karnataka, where as the figure is 1.63 for India;