Unit-6 : ENERGY & RESOURCES

Short Notes or Revision Notes 

GIST of India Year Book 2024

Environment Related Concepts

• Biosafety:Safe handling practices for biological materials, especially infectious agents.
• Green Credits Programme (Oct 2023):Creates market incentives for environment-positive actions beyond just carbon emission reduction. (Environment Ministry)
• Desertification:Degradation of dryland ecosystems due to climate variations and human activities.
• Biodiversity Hotspots:Regions with high species richness and endemism.
• Biosphere Reserves:Protected areas for preserving flora and fauna.
• Minamata Convention on Mercury:Aims to protect health and environment from mercury’s adverse effects.
• Ramsar Convention (Wetlands):Intergovernmental treaty for conserving and wisely using wetlands and their resources.

 

Chapter-22 : Energy

Transformation of Indian Power Sector (2012-2023)

From Deficit to Surplus:

• Energy deficit of 4.2% in 2012.
• Over 175 GW capacity added since 2014, leading to power surplus.
• National grid connectivity with extensive transmission lines (173,459 ckt km).

Strengthened Distribution & Rural Electrification:

• Schemes like DDUGJY, IPDS, and Saubhagya Yojana improved distribution and access.
• Increased power availability, especially in rural areas.

Clean Energy Transition:

• India ahead of schedule in adopting non-fossil fuel sources.
• Commitment to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels by 2030.
• Power generation capacity increased by 71% (2014-Sept 2023).
• Renewable energy targets:
  • 777 GW installed capacity by 2029-30 (62.43% non-fossil).
  • 900 GW by 2031-32 (66.22% non-fossil).
• India ranks 4th globally in renewable energy capacity:
  • 4th in wind power.
  • 5th in solar power.
• Fastest growing renewable energy sector among major economies (2.34x increase since 2014).

Focus on North Eastern Region (NER):

• Government schemes for improved power transmission and distribution.
• Intra-state projects for reliable state power grids.
• DDUGJY for rural infrastructure strengthening and metering.

Other Key Initiatives:

• Saubhagya Scheme: Universal household electrification (solar included).
• UDAY Scheme: Improves financial health of power distribution companies (DISCOMs).

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• PM KUSUM Scheme: Provides energy security to consumers.
• Electricity (Late Payment Surcharge) Rules: Ensures timely payments to power generators.
• SAMARTH Mission: Promotes use of agri-residue in thermal power plants.

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG)

Key Initiatives:

• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY):Provides LPG connections to BPL households (expanded by Ujjwala 2.0).
• PAHAL:DBT scheme for LPG subsidies (largest in Guinness Book).
• Make in India:Promotes domestic participation in the oil and gas sector.
• Sahaj:Digital initiative for online LPG connection release.
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package:Offered free LPG cylinders during Covid.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’s Lakshya Bharat Portal:Promotes local sourcing in oil and gas.
• Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project:Develops the national gas grid.
• City Gas Distribution Network:Supplies CNG, PNG, and industrial gas (regulated by PNGRB).

India’s Energy Diplomacy

• Focuses on diversifying import sources and strategic partnerships.
• Renegotiates LNG contracts and seeks responsible pricing.
• Key suppliers: Saudi Arabia, UAE.
• Reduces import reliance through initiatives like:
  • Ethanol Blending Programme:Aims for 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025.
• Engages with international organizations (OPEC, IEA) and has Strategic Petroleum Reserves.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

• Renewable Energy Capacity:73 GW by July 2023.
• Schemes:
  • Solar PV modules incentives.
  • National Green Hydrogen Mission.
  • PM-KUSUM.
  • Solar Parks Scheme.
• Focus Areas:
  • Wind power.
  • Rooftop solar.
  • Green Energy Corridor (grid integration).
• Bio-energy Schemes:
  • Waste-to-energy.
  • Biomass power.
  • Biogas projects.
• Cumulative Installed Capacity (as of July 2023):
  • Biomass power: 9.43 GW (Bagasse & IPP), 0.81 GW (Non-Bagasse).
  • Waste-to-energy: 0.57 GW (grid-connected & off-grid).
• Rural Biogas Schemes:Disseminates biogas plants in remote areas.
• Human Resource Development:Training programs, fellowships, and internships for the renewable energy sector.

Ministry of Coal (MoC)

• Oversees coal and lignite exploration and development.
• Public sector undertakings:
  • Coal India Limited (CIL).
  • Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC).
  • Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).
• Coal Reserves:12 billion tonnes (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh).
• Lignite Reserves:20 billion tonnes (Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan).
• Coal Production:
  • Highest ever: 893.19 million tonnes (prov.) in 2022-23.
  • 02 million tonnes (upto August 2023).
  • Target for 2023-24: 1,012.14 million tonnes.