DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS
1 – National Electricity Plan 2022-2032: GS II – Government Policies and Interventions
Context:
- The National Electricity Plan (NEP) for the years 2022–2032 has been made public by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
Using NEP:
According to the Electricity Act of 2003, the CEA (Ministry of Power, GoI) is required to develop a NEP in accordance with the National Electricity Policy to:
- Make short-term (15-year) and long-term (every five years) strategies.
- Analyses the problems, power sources, and predicted growth for India’s current and future electrical needs.
- To ensure that resources are used as effectively as possible, different planning authorities should coordinate their activities.
- Support the economic requirements of the nation.
- A comprehensive Plan for 2017–22 and a prospective Plan for 2022–27 are included in the third National Electricity Plan, which was published in 2018 after the first two were published in 2007 and 2013.
- The NEP 2022–32: The plan document contains an analysis of the previous five years (2017–22), a detailed plan for the following five years (202–27), and an anticipated plan for the following five years (2027–32).
Key NEP 2022–2032 estimates include:
Installed power:
- It would be 609,591 MW by 2026–2027, consisting of:
- In addition to 336,553 MW of renewable capacity (large hydro-52,446 MW, solar-185,566 MW, wind-72,895 MW, small hydro-5,200 MW, biomass-13,000 MW, pump storage plants-7,446 MW), there are 273,038 MW of conventional capacity (coal-235,133 MW, gas-24,824 MW, nuclear-13,080 MW).
- The battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity of 8,680 MW/34,720 MWh is also included in the renewable-based capacity.
It is anticipated to reach 900,422 MW by 2031 and include:
- conventional capacity of 304,147 MW (coal 259,643 MW, gas 24,824 MW, and nuclear 19,680 MW) and renewable capacity of 596,275 MW (66%) (large hydro 62,178 MW, solar 364,566 MW, wind 121,895 MW, small hydro 5,450 MW, biomass 15,500 MW, and pump storage plants 26,686 MW).
- BESS has a 47,244 MW/236,220 MWh capacity.
Important conclusions from the NEP 2022–32:
- India has pledged to generate half of its installed electricity from renewable sources by 2030, however this goal might be reached by 2026–2027.
- The percentage of non-fossil capacity is predicted to rise from about 42.5% as of April 2023 to 4% by 2026–2027 and to 68.4% by 2031–2022.
- Targets that are ambitious yet attainable: These goals depend on the government providing a lot of assistance to business.
Concerns:
- Old goals have not been met. For instance, the Centre had promised to install 100 GW (one GW is equal to 1,000 MW) of solar power by 2022, but only 64 GW was actually installed.
- Installed capacity does not always correspond to power generated: Due to the availability and efficiency of various energy sources, which vary.
- For instance, wind energy is subject to the whims of the weather while solar energy is only available during the day.
The distant future (according to the National Electricity Plan for 2022-27):
- The models of the hybrid generation: This will make it possible to switch to solar power and give backup electricity.
- Water is lifted to the reservoir during charging in systems that use this method, and when the water is released, it generates energy.
Source The Hindu
2 – Semiconductor Manufacturing in India: GS II – Government Policies and Interventions
Context:
- It seems that India’s goal of producing semiconductor chips is taking longer to come true.
Why?
- Three companies who filed to make the chips (Vedanta-Foxconn, the international consortium ISMC, and Singapore-based IGSS Ventures) are having trouble establishing their production facilities in India.
- The Centre had three proposals to establish a fab (fabrication/production) in the nation after learning that the country’s semiconductor market was expected to reach $63 billion in value by 2026.
What obstacles are there?
- Vedanta-Foxconn has trouble locating a tech partner who would provide them a licence to use their technology to produce 28-nanometer chips.
- Due to an impending merger between Intel and Tower Semiconductor, ISMC (supported by Abu Dhabi-based Next Orbit and Israel’s Tower Semiconductor) has asked that its proposal not be taken into consideration. IGSS Venture’s application from Singapore was also rejected by the government advisory group.
Semiconductors:
Semiconductors are substances with conductivities ranging from:
- metal conductors, often, at high temperatures.
- insulators or non-conductors (like the majority of ceramics) at low temperatures.
- Microchips, integrated circuits (ICs), and semiconductors can be made from either pure elements like silicon or germanium or from compounds like gallium arsenide or cadmium selenide.
- Doping is a type of impurity that is applied in small amounts to pure semiconductors, changing the conductivity of the material dramatically.
- The recent shortage of semiconductor chips has a specific impact on the worldwide automobile manufacturing business.
Why does India promote the production of semiconductors?
- India has selected electronics manufacturing as a vital industry that will help it accelerate its growth by producing goods both for the domestic market and for international markets.
- Apple is now the market leader in smartphone manufacturing in the nation, but the majority of the work is still spent putting different foreign parts together.
- India has prioritised chip production as part of its economic goal to develop a domestic electronics supply chain and reduce imports, particularly from China (by enticing international corporations).
Government efforts:
- The Semicon India Programme, which was established in 2021 and has a budget of Rs 76,000 crore, aims to promote the growth of the Indian semiconductor and display manufacturing industries.
- The foregoing obstacles will have an effect on India’s ambitious goal of becoming a world semiconductor centre within the next five years.
- The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has decided to reopen the application period for its proposal to manufacture semiconductors for 76,000 crores of rupees.
Way Forward:
- India has an opportunity to establish itself as a trustworthy location as more businesses attempt to diversify their bases from China.
- India may offer subsidies for domestic chip production along the lines of the CHIPS Act in the USA.
Source The Hindu
3 – Yakshagana: GS I – Indian Culture
Context:
- The end of the Yakshagana performances in Karnataka’s coastal districts no longer coincides with the arrival of the monsoon. Yakshagana Theatre is prospering all year round because to the numerous venues that have popped up during the past ten years.
Regarding Yakshagana:
- Yakshagana is a type of Karnataka traditional theatre.
- Massive headgear, intricate facial makeup, and colourful costumes and accessories are used during performance.
- It is typically performed in Kannada, however it is also done in Malayalam and Tulu (a south Karnataka dialect).
- Cymbals such the chenda, maddalam, jagatta, or chengila as well as smaller cymbals like the chakratala or elathalam are used to execute it.
Features:
- It was performed in the Vijayanagar dynasty’s royal courts by a unique group known as Jakkula Varu.
- The names Aata Bayalaata, Kelike, and Dashavatara are the ancestors of the word “yakshagana.”
- Researchers and intellectuals have classified the Yakshagana dance form into two divisions.
- The eastern parts of Karnataka fall under the first category, Moodalopaya.
- The second group of Yakshagana, known as Paduvlopaya, covers Uttara Kannada, Kasaragod, Udupi, and the western regions of the state of Karnataka.
Source The Hindu
4 – PM Svanidhi Scheme: GS II – Government Policies and Interventions
Context:
- To make applying for loans under the PM SVANidhi scheme easier for street sellers, the Central government has released a smartphone app.
- The app attempts to improve accessibility for suppliers and speed the procedure.
- The introduction of the “Udyam” registration certificate also makes it easier for street vendors to register their businesses.
About:
Description:
- In 2020, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan established the Central Sector Scheme PM SVANidhi.
Objective:
- To support street vendors impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns with reasonable working capital loans.
Funding:
- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs provides whole funding.
Term of Lending:
- Until December 2024 now.
Loans Presented:
- Up to $10,000 first loan; $20,000 second loan; and $50,000 third loan.
Interest Incentives:
- A loan interest subsidy of 7%.
- Component of “SVANidhi Se Samriddhi”:
- It depicts the socioeconomic makeup of the beneficiaries’ family.
Eligibility:
- Subject to publication of rules and programmes under the Street sellers (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act of 2014, available to street sellers operating in metropolitan areas.
Success:
- As of June 30, 2023, more than 36 lakh street vendors had received microcredits, demonstrating the program’s success.
Target:
- Benefits under the PM SVANidhi Scheme are expected to be distributed to 42 lakh street vendors by December 2024.
Source The Hindu
