TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Energy Transition: Target to achieve 500 GW from non-fossil fuels by 2030 2. Report on Landslide Incidents 3. National Maritime Day, 2023 4. Stand Up India, Amrit Sarovar, GI tag for Ladakh’s Wood Carving 5. Nuclear Power Reactors
1. Energy Transition: Target to achieve 500 GW from non-fossil fuels by 2030
Syllabus – GS3, Environment: Conservation, environment pollution & degradation.
Prelims – Target of 500 GW, COP26
Context – India’s target to achieve 500 GW from non-fossil fuels by 2030.
Details –
- India has accelerated its renewable energy growth by launching annual bids of 50 GW of renewable energy capacity for five years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28. The annual bids of Inter-State Transmission (ISTS) connected renewable energy capacity will also include setting up of wind power capacity of at least 10 GW per year.
- This is in accordance with India’s target of achieving 500 GW from non-fossil fuels (renewable plus nuclear sources) announced at COP26.
- As on February 28, 2023, India’s total renewable energy capacity (solar, hydro, wind and bio-power) is 168.96 GW with around 82 GW at various stages of implementation and around 41 GW at the tendering stage.
- In addition to this, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has declared a quarterly plan for the bids for FY 2023-24 which consists of bids for at least 15 GW of renewable energy capacity in the first and second quarters of the FY 2023 (April – June 2023) & (July – September 2023) and at least 10 GW in the third and fourth quarter of the financial year (October 2023 – December 2023) & (December 2023 – March 2024).
- Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIA) for calling the bids are Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI), NTPC Ltd (National Thermal Power Corporation) and NHPC Ltd (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation). SJVN (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam), a public sector enterprise under GoI has also been notified as REIA.
2. Report on Landslide Incidents
Syllabus – GS3, Disaster and Disaster Management.
Prelims – Report on landslide incidents.
Context – IIRS (Indian Institute of Remote Sensing) Report – landslide incidents are not related to commissioned/under construction hydro-power projects.
Details –
- The Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) carried out the study in 9 NHPC Power Projects -Teesta V & Rangit in Sikkim; Salal, Dulhasti, Uri II in Jammu & Kashmir, Subansiri lower in Arunachal Pradesh, Dhauliganga in Uttarakhand and Chamera I and Parbat II in Himachal Pradesh.
- The study involved the preparation of landslide inventory maps ten years before the start of the project up to the current status of the power station/project. The report says that in most cases, the landslide area decreased significantly compared to the landslide area before the construction of the project.
- The study conducted by IIRS, Dehradun revealed that the occurrence of the landslides is not due to the construction of the projects but the topography, geographical conditions and rainfall are the main causative agents of landslides.
3. National Maritime Day, 2023
Syllabus – GS3, Growth & Development.
Prelims – National Maritime Day- April 5, 2023.
Context – Diamond Jubilee celebrations of National Maritime Day held in Mumbai.
Details –
- National Maritime Day is celebrated to appreciate the contribution of maritime trade to the Indian economy and the significance of India in international trade. It is celebrated on April 5 across the country to commemorate the sailing of the first Indian commercial vessel, the SS Loyalty from Mumbai to London in 1919. This is the 60th National Maritime Day; it was first celebrated in 1964.
- On National Maritime Day 2023, the Prime Minister of India reaffirmed India’s commitment to port-led development.
- The grand finale function of the Diamond Jubilee of National Maritime Day was organised at Domestic Cruise Terminus in Mumbai and the chief guest of the event was Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Netherlands Mr Mark Harbers.
- The theme for the 60th edition of the National Maritime Day was “Amrit kaal in Shipping”.
- The GoI has acknowledged the importance of the maritime sector for economic development and has set out its Maritime India Vision 2030. The vision is about accelerated maritime growth over the next decade across ports, shipping and waterways, not only in terms of capacity and economic growth but also sustainability. The emphasis is on green and sustainable port development. Logistics sufficiency, shipbuilding, repairs and recycling, inland waterways, coastal shipping, digitalisation and maritime trading.
- On this day Sagar Samman Awards are conferred upon meritorious persons.
4. Stand Up India, Amrit Sarovar, GI tag for Ladakh’s Wood Carving
Syllabus – GS2, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.
Prelims – Stand Up India, Amrit Sarovar, GI tag for Ladakh’s wood carving.
Context – Shri Narendra Modi expressed happiness over the success of StandUp India, Amrit Sarovar Mission and the grant of GI tag for the wood carving of Ladakh.
Details –
- Shri Narendra Modi acknowledged the role that the Stand Up India Scheme has played in empowering SC and ST communities and also ensuring the empowerment of women. Stand Up India completed 7 years.
- Stand Up India was launched in 2016 with the aim to leverage the institutional credit structure to reach out to the underserved sector of people such as SCs, STs and Women Entrepreneurs.
- The Prime Minister also praised the Mission Amrit Sarovar.
- More than 40,000 Amrit Sarovars have been dedicated to the nation and there is a target of constructing 50,000 Amrit Sartovars by 15th August 2023.
- The Amrit Sarovar Mission was launched in April 2022 with a view to conserving water for the future. The Mission is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country as a part of the celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
- Shri Modi expressed happiness about the GI Tag for Ladakh’s Wood Carving, a first of its kind. It will promote the handicraft culture of the artisans as well as the economy of the region.
Syllabus – GS3, Infrastructure: Energy.
Prelims – Nuclear Power Reactors – Project Kaiga, GHAVP, Chutka, Mahi Banswara.
Context – Energy generation by the nuclear power reactors in India.
Details –
- The Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that during FY 2021-22, nuclear power plants generated 47112 Million Units of electricity which is about 3.15% of the total electricity generated in the country. Also, the installed nuclear power capacity is set to increase from 6780 MW to 22480 MW by 2031 on the completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction.
- The GoI has given bulk approval for the installation of 10 indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors of 700 MW each in fleet mode.
- Project Kaiga 5 & 6, Karnataka with capacity 2X700 MW.
- Project GHAVP 3 & 4, Haryana with capacity 2X700 MW.
- Project Chutka 1 & 2, Madhya Pradesh with capacity 2X700 MW.
- Project Mahi Banswara 1 & 2, Rajasthan with capacity 2X700 MW.
- Project Mahi Banswara 2 & 3, Rajasthan with capacity 2X700 MW.
- The GoI has amended the Atomic Energy Act in 2015 to enable the Joint Ventures of NPCIL with Public Sector Enterprises to set up nuclear power projects.
Also read: Nuclear Power Program of India
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