Renewable Energy Schemes

24 May Renewable Energy Schemes

Renewable Energy Schemes

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Renewable Energy Schemes”. The topic “Renewable Energy Schemes” has relevance in the Economy section for the UPSC CSE exam.

Relevance of the topic “Renewable Energy Schemes”

For Prelims:
What are the Renewable Energy Schemes?

For Mains:
GS 3: Environment
What is the status of Renewable Energy installation in India?
What is the significance of Renewable Energy?
Way Forward

Why in the news?

MNRE holds Review Meetings with States/ UTs on the Progress of Renewable Energy Schemes/ Capacities

What are the Renewable Energy Schemes?

• Solar Parks Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme

• The PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme is designed to provide energy security to farmers in India while also fulfilling the country’s commitment to increase the proportion of electricity generated from non-fossil fuel sources.

• By 2030, the scheme aims to achieve a 40% share of installed capacity from clean energy sources, aligning with India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to combat climate change.

• This initiative promotes the use of solar power, including the installation of solar pumps, solar grid-connected power plants, and solarization of existing agricultural pumps, thereby reducing farmers’ reliance on traditional energy sources and enhancing their livelihoods.

• • • Components: 
      • Component-A: For Setting up of 10,000 MW of Decentralized Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants on barren land.
      • Component-B: For Installation of 17.50 Lakh stand-alone solar agriculture pumps. 
      • Component-C: For Solarisation of 10 Lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps. 

• Rooftop Solar Programme

• • • It aims to promote the adoption of solar energy systems on rooftops of buildings. It encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to install solar panels on their rooftops to generate clean and renewable electricity.
    • The Rooftop Solar Programme offers various incentives and support mechanisms to facilitate the installation of rooftop solar systems. 

• National Green Hydrogen Mission 

• • It is aimed at promoting the production, deployment, and utilization of green hydrogen as an alternative energy source. 
  • Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to electrolyze water and separate hydrogen from oxygen.

What is the status of Renewable Energy installation in India? 

• The Renewable Energy capacity of 172 GW has already been installed and close to 129 GW is either under implementation or has been tendered. 
• Thus, the total installed capacity would be 301 GW, which leaves approximately 200 GW capacity to be added in order to achieve the target of 500 GW capacity from non-fossil fuels.

What is the significance of Renewable Energy?

1. Climate Change Mitigation: It has the ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal do not release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants during electricity generation. 
2. Energy Security and Independence: Renewable energy diversifies the energy mix and reduces dependence on fossil fuel imports. 
3. Air Quality Improvement: Renewable energy sources produce clean energy, which helps improve air quality and reduces respiratory and other health-related issues associated with fossil fuel pollution.
4. Sustainable Economic Development: Investments in renewable energy projects, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance create employment across various skill levels. 
5. Resource Efficiency: Renewable energy sources utilize naturally replenishing resources, such as sunlight, wind, and water, which are virtually inexhaustible. 
6. Rural Electrification and Energy Access: Renewable energy technologies, such as off-grid solar systems and mini-grids, offer cost-effective solutions for electrifying remote and rural areas that are not connected to the centralized grid. 

Source:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1926777

QUESTION FOR PRELIMS

Q.1 Which of the following is not a component of the PM KUSUM scheme:

1.  Decentralized Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants
2.  Solar agriculture pumps
3.  Solarisation of Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps. 
4.  Green Energy Corridor.

Answer : (d)

Q.2 Consider the following pairs:

Select the correct pair from the options given above:

Answer : (a)

QUESTION FOR MAINS EXAMINATION

Q.1 India has significantly increased its renewable energy generation capacity. What are the government initiatives being taken to enhance the renewable energy generation capacity of India?Discuss.

plutus ias current affairs eng med 24th May 2023

Mohit Pratap Singh