National
Plan titled “Transmission System for Integration of over 500 GW RE Capacity by 2030"
⇒ Union Minister for Power and NRE Shri R.K Singh launched the plan “Transmission System for Integration of over 500 GW RE Capacity by 2030″ on 07 December 2022.
High-level committee:
Ministry of Power had constituted a high-level committee for planning the transmission system required for having 500 GW of non-fossil fuel based installed capacity by 2030.
- The high-level committee was constituted under Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority with representatives from Solar Energy Corporation of India, Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, National Institute of Solar Energy, and National Institute of Wind Energy.
The Committee prepared a detailed Plan titled “Transmission System for Integration of over 500 GW RE Capacity by 2030″ in consultation with States and other stakeholders.
- The Plan is a major step towards achievement of the goal of integrating 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030 by providing broad plan of required transmission system for having 537 GW of Renewable Energy capacity by the year 2030.
- The planned additional transmission systems required for having 500 GW of non-fossil fuel include 8120 ckm of High Voltage Direct Current Transmission corridors (+800 kV and +350 kV), 25,960 ckm of 765 kV ac lines, 15,758 ckm of 400 kV lines and 1052 ckm of 220 kV cable at an estimated cost of 2.44 lakh crore.
- The transmission plan also includes transmission system required for evacuation of 10 GW off-shore wind located in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu at an estimated cost of Rs 0.28 lakh crore. With the planned transmission system, the inter-regional capacity will increase to about 1.50 lakh MW by 2030 from 1.12 lakh MW at present.
- Considering the availability of Renewable Energy based generation for a limited period during day, the Plan also envisages installation of Battery Energy Storage Capacity of the order of 51.5 GW by 2030 to provide Round the Clock power to end-consumers.
- The Plan has identified major upcoming non-fossil fuel-based generation centres in the country, and based on these potential generation centres, transmission systems have been planned. Identified generation centres in the country include Fatehgarh, Bhadla, Bikaner in Rajasthan, Khavda in Gujarat, Anantapur, Kurnool RE Zones in Andhra Pradesh, offshore wind potentials in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, RE park in Ladakh etc.
- The planned transmission system projected will provide a visibility to the Renewable Energy Developers about the potential generation sites and scale of investment opportunity. Further, it will also provide the Transmission Service Providers the vision of growth opportunity available in the transmission sector along with investment opportunity of about 2.44 lakh crore.
Other Points:
- India has emerged as one of the world leaders in energy transition with the fastest rate of growth of renewable energy capacities in the world. India has huge ambitions in energy transition and plans to have 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity installed capacity by 2030, so that cleaner fuel comprises of 50% of the installed capacity mix by 2030.
- The installed electricity generating capacity in India at present is 409 GW comprising of 173 GW from non-fossil fuel sources, which is about 42% of the total installed electricity generating capacity.
ONGC's new Chairman and Board-level reforms
⇒ Government of India had set up a Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) in February, 2022 for filling up the post of CMD, ONGC.
- The SCSC was chaired by Chairperson, PESB with Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas and Shri B Ashok, ex-Chairman, IOCL as members.
After consideration of the recommendations of the SCSC Government has decided as under:
- Appointment of Shri Arun Kumar Singh, ex-CMD, BPCL as the Chairman of ONGC for a three year tenure with effect from the date of assumption of charge. He assumed the charge as the Chief of the Energy Maharatna on 7 December 2022.
- Board level changes w.e.f. 01 March 2023
- Creation of a post of Director [Production] on the Board of ONGC after merger of the posts of Director [Onshore] and Director [Offshore].
- Creation of a post of Director [Strategy & Corporate Affairs] on the Board of ONGC.
» The restructuring of the Board of ONGC has been approved in the context of emerging trends in the energy sector and national energy priorities.
National conclave on soil health management for sustainable farming
⇒ NITI Aayog organized a national conclave on soil health management for sustainable farming on the occasion of the World Soil Day on December 5, 2022.
Co-hosted by:
The conclave was co-hosted by NITI Aayog, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH India on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Economic Development (BMZ).
Key Points:
- The conclave brought together policymakers, the scientific community, civil society and sector advocates to understand key initiatives in India and globally.
- The conclave highlighted the role of soil protection, restoration, and sustainable soil management to support an agro ecological transition towards sustainable farming and resilient food systems in India.
Background:
» India and Germany are already partnering up to tackle the challenges of soil degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change by promoting holistic solutions for resilient agriculture and food systems like agro ecology.
» In May 2022, India and Germany signed a joint declaration for the establishment of the first-ever bilateral lighthouse initiative on agro ecology and sustainable management of natural resources.
- Through this, joint research, knowledge-sharing and innovation will be promoted between academic institutions of both countries and practitioners, including farmers.
- Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development intends to provide up to 300 million euros by 2025 for financial and technical cooperation for projects under this initiative.
» NITI Aayog and the BMZ too also signed a Statement of Intent for collaborations, with agro ecology being one of the priority areas.
» The conclave was part of these bilateral initiatives to catalyze the transformation towards resilient and sustainable food systems, including nutritional security and improving rural livelihoods through green and inclusive economic development.
Important Day
Armed Forces Flag Day
⇒ Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated in India every year on 7th December.
Armed Forces Flag Day provides an opportunity to the citizens to express their gratitude towards the sacrifices made by our soldiers. On this day the services rendered by personnel of Army, Navy and Air Force are remembered.
Background:
- Since 1949, 7th December is observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day throughout India to honour the martyrs and the men in uniform who valiantly fought & continue to fight on our borders to safeguard the country’s honour.
- Flag Day brings to the forefront India’s commitment of looking after our war disabled Soldiers, Veer Naris and the families of Martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the Armed Forces Flag Day CSR Conclave, organised by Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, in New Delhi on 29 November 2022.
- Addressing the conclave, the Raksha Mantri appealed to the nation to contribute generously to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, terming it the moral responsibility of every citizen to ensure the welfare of the soldiers and their families.
Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF):
Armed Forces Flag Day Fund is utilised for providing financial assistance to needy Ex-servicemen (ESM), War widows and their Dependents, and the Institutions involved in rehabilitation of disabled soldiers.