Power and Energy Sector

India’s Fuel Pricing Policy : Analysis – UPSC GS3

Fuel pricing policy in India: India’s fuel pricing regime has evolved over the years. In 1995-96, the government thought of moving from an administered price mechanism on a cost-plus basis to market-determined consumer prices for petrol, diesel and other fuels. Based on the Nirmal Singh Committee recommendations full dismantling of oil prices was announced in 2002. As …

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Tight Oil : Shale and its potential in India – UPSC GS3

What is Shale Oil? It is also known as Tight Oil. Shale oil is an unconventional oil produced from oil shale rock fragments. Its extraction requires the creation of fractures in oil and gas rich shale to release hydrocarbons through a process called hydraulic fracking. What are the challenges in Shale Oil Exploration? Environmental concerns around massive …

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India can manage without Coal – UPSC GS3

Context: In the backdrop of COP26, India’s dependence on coal has remained a much talked about issue. Fossil fuel sources like coal have contributed significantly to global carbon emissions. But, neither India’s historical nor its current emissions come anywhere near to those by developed countries. And as India needs energy for development, some experts have …

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Need to amend Energy Conservation Act, 2001 – UPSC GS3

Background: The Ministry of Power has proposed amendments to the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 with an aim to achieve higher levels of penetration of Renewable energy. What are the amendments proposed to the Energy Conservation Act, 2001? Define the minimum share of renewable energy in the overall consumption by the industrial units or any establishment. Provision to …

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Need of a Ministry of Energy – UPSC GS3

Summary: The current energy value chain works in silos. India needs an integrated Energy authority. Background: The recent coal shortage shows flaws in the entire energy production chain. There is no public body at the government level with executive oversight, responsibility, and accountability for the entire energy value chain. What are the challenges leading to the …

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Why small hydro projects are beneficial? – UPSC GS3

Hydropower In India Hydropower is a renewable and non-polluting source of energy. In India, the western Himalayan states of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh are rich in hydropower potential as they have numerous glaciers and rivers. India has a viable hydropower potential, which is estimated to be about 84,000 megawatts at a 60 …

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Renewables Integration in India 2021 : NITI Ayog Report – UPSC GS3

The International Energy Agency(IEA) in association with NITI Aayog has released a report titled “Renewables Integration in India 2021”. Renewables Integration in India 2021 Report: India’s Demand For Energy: India is the third largest energy-consuming country in the world. India has made significant progress towards its universal electrification target for residential users.  100 million people gained electricity …

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Issues in India’s Renewable Energy Projects – UPSC GS3

India’s Targets: 450 GW of renewable power by 2030. 175 GW of renewable power by 2022. Major Issue: According to a 2020 report of the Central Electricity Authority, around 16 GW of solar and wind energy capacity awarded across the country, do not have power purchase agreements (PPAs) or PSAs. It is because states are reluctant to …

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Floating Solar Plants – UPSC GS3

Floating Solar Plants: It refers to the deployment of photovoltaic panels on the surface of water bodies. They are a viable alternative to land-based solar arrays with applications in India. There are a large number of major reservoirs in the Southern Region which provides a huge opportunity to go for renewable energy in the floating solar method. Projects Coming up in …

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