Non-renewable Energy — Revision Notes
⚡ 30-Second Revision
- Coal: — 5th largest reserves, 2nd largest producer. Gondwana (bituminous) >98%. Neyveli (lignite). Used for ~70% electricity.
- Oil/Gas: — High import dependency (>85% oil, ~50% gas). Mumbai High, KG Basin. HELP policy.
- Nuclear: — Modest Uranium, vast Thorium. 3-stage program (PHWR, FBR, AHWR). Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
- Impacts: — GHG emissions (~2.7 GtCO2 from energy, IEA 2022), air pollution, land degradation.
- Policy: — MMDR Act 2015, Coal Mines Act 2015, PNGRB Act 2006, EPA 1986.
- Energy Security: — SPRs (Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, Padur).
2-Minute Revision
Non-renewable energy sources, primarily fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) and nuclear fuels (uranium, thorium), form the bedrock of India's energy supply. Coal dominates, providing over 70% of electricity, leveraging India's vast domestic reserves.
However, this reliance contributes significantly to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, challenging India's climate commitments. Petroleum and natural gas, while crucial for transportation and industry, face high import dependency (over 85% for oil), creating energy security vulnerabilities.
India addresses this through Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs) and policies like HELP to boost domestic exploration. Nuclear energy, governed by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, is a strategic, carbon-free baseload option, with India's unique three-stage program aiming to utilize its abundant thorium reserves.
Environmental impacts include air pollution, GHG emissions, land degradation from mining, and radioactive waste. Policy and technological measures like Clean Coal Technologies (CCTs) and stringent environmental regulations are crucial for mitigating these impacts, as India navigates a complex energy transition balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
5-Minute Revision
Non-renewable energy sources are finite resources crucial for India's current energy landscape. The primary components are fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) and nuclear fuels (uranium, thorium).
India's energy mix is heavily skewed towards coal, which accounts for approximately 55% of primary commercial energy supply and over 70% of electricity generation (IEA, 2023). This reliance is due to India's substantial domestic coal reserves (approx.
361.41 billion tonnes, MoC 2023), predominantly Gondwana bituminous coal, found in major coalfields like Jharia, Raniganj, and Talcher, with lignite in Neyveli. While coal ensures baseload power and energy security, its combustion leads to severe environmental impacts, including significant greenhouse gas emissions (~2.
7 GtCO2 from energy sector, IEA 2022), air pollution (PM, SOx, NOx), and land degradation from mining.
Petroleum and natural gas are vital for transportation, industry, and domestic use. However, India faces high import dependency, importing over 85% of its crude oil and about 50% of its natural gas (MoPNG, 2023-24).
Major domestic fields include Mumbai High and the Krishna-Godavari Basin. To counter import vulnerability, India maintains Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs) at locations like Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur, and promotes domestic exploration through policies like the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), which also covers unconventional resources like shale gas and Coal Bed Methane (CBM).
Nuclear energy, governed by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, is a strategic, carbon-free power source. India has modest uranium reserves but vast thorium reserves, driving its unique three-stage nuclear power program. This program aims to utilize thorium to produce fissile Uranium-233, ensuring long-term energy independence. The current fleet primarily consists of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
The constitutional framework, particularly Article 39(b), guides resource distribution. Key legislation includes the MMDR Act, 2015, Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, PNGRB Act, 2006, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which mandates EIAs and pollution control.
India is adopting measures like Clean Coal Technologies (supercritical plants, IGCC, CCUS research) and stringent emission norms to mitigate environmental impacts. The overarching challenge for India is to manage a 'just transition' from its non-renewable energy dependence to a sustainable, cleaner energy future, balancing economic growth, energy security, and climate change commitments.
Prelims Revision Notes
For Prelims, focus on specific facts and figures related to non-renewable energy in India.
Coal:
- Reserves: — India has the 5th largest proven coal reserves globally (~361.41 BT, MoC 2023).
- Production/Consumption: — 2nd largest producer and consumer. Production ~997.25 MT (FY 2023-24).
- Types: — Anthracite (highest carbon, J&K), Bituminous (most common, Gondwana fields), Lignite (low grade, Neyveli-TN, Rajasthan, Gujarat).
- Major Coalfields: — Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro (Jharkhand/WB); Talcher, Ib Valley (Odisha); Korba, Singrauli (Chhattisgarh/MP); Singareni (Telangana).
- Legislation: — MMDR Act, 2015; Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.
Petroleum & Natural Gas:
- Import Dependency: — Crude Oil >85%, Natural Gas ~50% (MoPNG 2023-24).
- Major Basins/Fields: — Mumbai High (largest), KG Basin, Assam Shelf, Cambay, Cauvery.
- Unconventional: — Shale gas (Cambay, KG, Cauvery), CBM (Raniganj, Jharia, Bokaro).
- Policy: — HELP (Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy) 2016 replaced NELP. PNGRB Act, 2006.
- Energy Security: — Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs) at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, Padur.
Nuclear Energy:
- Fuel: — Modest Uranium reserves (Jaduguda), vast Thorium reserves (~13% global, monazite sands).
- Program: — Three-stage (PHWRs -> FBRs -> AHWRs).
- Reactors: — Primarily PHWRs. KAPP-3 (700 MWe PHWR) commissioned 2023.
- Legislation: — Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
Environmental Impacts: GHG emissions (CO2, CH4), air pollution (SOx, NOx, PM), water pollution, land degradation, radioactive waste.
Key Concepts: Calorific Value, Clean Coal Technologies (Supercritical, IGCC, CCUS), Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking).
Mains Revision Notes
For Mains, focus on the analytical and policy aspects of non-renewable energy, emphasizing inter-linkages.
1. Energy Security & Import Dependency:
- Challenge: — High import dependency for oil/gas (85%+ oil) leads to economic vulnerability, geopolitical risks. Coal provides domestic security.
- Solutions: — SPRs, diversification of import sources, boosting domestic E&P (HELP for conventional/unconventional), energy efficiency, renewable energy transition.
2. Environmental Impacts & Mitigation:
- Impacts: — Climate change (GHG emissions from fossil fuels, India's energy sector ~2.7 GtCO2, IEA 2022), severe air pollution (PM, SOx, NOx), water stress, land degradation (mining), radioactive waste (nuclear).
- Mitigation: — Clean Coal Technologies (supercritical/ultra-supercritical, IGCC, CCUS), emission control devices (FGD, SCR, ESPs), stringent EIAs (Environment Protection Act, 1986), sustainable mining practices (National Mineral Policy 2019), nuclear waste management, aggressive renewable energy deployment.
3. India's Energy Transition Dilemma:
- Conflict: — Balancing developmental needs (energy access, industrial growth) with climate commitments (NDCs, Net Zero by 2070).
- Coal's Role: — Continued reliance on coal for baseload power due to abundance and affordability, but focus on 'just transition' for coal regions.
- Nuclear's Role: — Strategic importance as clean baseload power, leveraging thorium through the three-stage program for long-term energy independence.
4. Policy & Governance:
- Constitutional: — Article 39(b) guiding resource distribution.
- Acts: — MMDR Act 2015 (transparent allocation, DMF), Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act 2015, PNGRB Act 2006 (downstream regulation), Atomic Energy Act 1962 (state control over nuclear).
- Policies: — National Mineral Policy 2019 (sustainable mining), HELP 2016 (hydrocarbon E&P).
5. Unconventional Hydrocarbons: Potential to reduce import bill, but challenges include high cost, water use, environmental risks (fracking).
Vyyuha Quick Recall
Vyyuha Quick Recall: C-O-N-F-I-N-E-D for Non-Renewable Energy
- C — Coal: Types (Anthracite, Bituminous, Lignite), Major Coalfields (Jharia, Raniganj, Talcher), Clean Coal Technologies (Supercritical, IGCC, CCUS).
- O — Oil: Reserves (limited), Major Fields (Mumbai High, KG Basin), Import Dependency (>85%), Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs).
- N — Nuclear: Uranium & Thorium (vast reserves), Three-Stage Program (PHWR, FBR, AHWR), Atomic Energy Act 1962.
- F — Fossil Fuels: Formation (millions of years), Finite nature, Primary energy source.
- I — India's Energy Mix: Statistics (Coal ~55% primary, >70% electricity), Import dependency, Energy Security.
- N — National Policies: MMDR Act 2015, Coal Mines Act 2015, PNGRB Act 2006, HELP 2016, National Mineral Policy 2019.
- E — Environmental Impacts: GHG Emissions (~2.7 GtCO2 from energy), Air Pollution (SOx, NOx, PM), Land Degradation, Water Use, Radioactive Waste.
- D — Development vs. Dilemma: Balancing economic growth with climate commitments, Just Transition.