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09/07/2020 - Energy

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July 09, 2020

Examine the constraints and possible measures that are required to maintain the energy transition of the country in a right direction.(200 Words)

Refer -  Financial Express

Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.

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IAS Parliament 4 years

KEY POINTS

India has committed in the 2015 Paris Agreement to reduce GHG emissions intensity by 33-35% below 2005 levels, and achieve 40% of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.

Constraints

·         The targeted coal production of 1.5 billion tonnes, even by 2030, would mean thermal generation capacity could double over the current 223 GW. In that case, even with targeted RE capacity, we will not achieve our emissions intensity Paris commitment.

·         This target would require additional production of 150 million tonnes coal each year. The 2020 CEA study estimates that in 2030 the coal requirement will be only 892 million tonnes, but which, significantly, will have a PLF of only about 59%.

·         There are problems with RE, too. In 2014, the solar target was increased to 100 GW by 2022. But solar deployment has seen policy challenges both from Centre and states—continuous changes in duty structure; renegotiation of PPAs.

·         With the latest developments with respect to China, this is no longer possible or desirable, and there will be imposition of customs duty and other restrictions. This will lead to increased tariffs and supply bottlenecks, making capacity increases difficult.

·         This brings us to the vexed problem of domestic manufacturing. We have seen the dismal position in solar. We also do not manufacture lithium-ion batteries. Lithium and other raw materials are in short supply, and China has moved to take control of sources.

The suggested pathway

1.Build thermal capacity as per CEA estimates and quickly. None after 2030. Retire inefficient plants. Plan for miner rehabilitation.

2.  Accelerate RE after 2030 with storage. Aim for 10 GW solar and 5 GW wind annually.

3. Develop 5-10 GW ingot/wafer manufacturing capacity urgently and diversify importsourcesevenatsomeextentcost.

4. Develop a battery for Indian conditions in three years; full battery manufacturing inIndiainfiveyears.

5. Plan for hydrogen economy with pilot projects and dedicated highways for long andheavyhaultraffic. 

6. Put a strong energy demand management system into place with a much stronger energy efficiency and conservation movement.

Ananta Kumar Muduli 4 years

Kindly review

IAS Parliament 4 years

Avoid mentioning general points, try to bring coherence in the answer. Keep Writing.

Sanjeev Kumar Singh 4 years

Please review

IAS Parliament 4 years

Good attempt. Keep Writing.

Sonali 4 years

Please review

IAS Parliament 4 years

Try to include about thermal power plants. Keep Writing.

aswin 4 years

please review

IAS Parliament 4 years

Try to include thermal power plants. Keep Writing.

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