Energy is a critical component of every country's economic growth. In the case of emerging countries, the energy sector is crucial because of the ever-increasing energy demands that necessitate massive expenditures to satisfy. Energy resources include all types of fuels utilized in the contemporary world, whether for heating, electrical energy generation, or other types of energy conversion activities. This article will explain to you the Energy Resources in India which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Energy Resources in India

• Energy may be produced using fuel materials such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium, and electricity.
• There are two types of energy resources:
• Conventional
• Non-conventional.
• Firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas, and electricity are all Conventional sources.
• Solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas, and atomic energy are examples of non-conventional energy sources.
• In rural India, the most popular fuels are firewood and animal dung cake.
• Three fuels meet more than 80% of India's energy needs: coal, oil, and solid biomass.
• Coal has fueled the rise of power generation and industry, and it continues to be the most important single fuel in the energy mix.
• Oil consumption and imports have increased significantly as car ownership and road transport use have increased.
• Biomass, particularly fuelwood, is a reducing component of the energy mix, but it is still widely utilized as cooking fuel.
• Despite recent achievements in boosting LPG coverage in rural areas, 660 million Indians have yet to fully transition to contemporary, clean cooking fuels or technology.

Conventional Energy

• Conventional energy sources are those that have been widely used for the majority of human history.
• They are non-renewable in nature, which means that once a sample of a conventional energy source has been depleted, it cannot be used again.

Coal

• Coal is the most readily available fossil fuel in India. It meets a significant portion of the country's energy requirements.
• It is used to generate electricity, as well as to deliver energy to industry and households.
• India is heavily reliant on coal to cover its commercial energy needs.
• Coal is created as a result of millions of years of compression of plant material.
• As a result, coal can be discovered in a variety of shapes, depending on the degree of compression as well as the depth and period of burial.
• Peat is produced by decaying plants in marshes.
• Which has a low carbon and moisture content, as well as a limited heating capability.
• India is the world's second-largest consumer of coal, accounting for around 84.8 percent of global consumption of 1,139,471,430 tonnes.
• India imports 22% of the coal it consumes.

Petroleum

• The majority of petroleum occurrences in India are connected with anticlines and fault traps in tertiary rock strata.
• It occurs in regions of folding, anticlines, or domes where oil is trapped in the crest of the upfold.
• The oil bearing layer is a porous limestone or sandstone that allows oil to flow through it. Intervening non-porous layers keep the oil from rising or sinking.
• Petroleum can also be discovered in fault traps formed by porous and non-porous rocks.
• Due to the gas being lighter than oil, it frequently appears above it.
• In India, important petroleum producing locations are Mumbai High, Gujarat, and Assam.
• India is the world's third-largest oil consumer, consuming around 4.6 percent of the world's total of 97,103,871 barrels per day.
• 96 percent of India's oil usage is imported.

Natural Gas

• Natural gas is considered an environmentally beneficial fuel due to its minimal carbon dioxide emissions and is hence the fuel of the twenty-first century.
• Natural gas deposits of significant size have been identified in the Krishna-Godavari basin.
• The reserves of Mumbai High and related fields are enhanced along the west coast by discoveries in the Gulf of Cambay.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also major places with significant natural gas deposits.
• During the fiscal year 2021, the fertilizer industry consumed the most natural gas in India.
• As of 2017, India consumed 1,957,546 million cubic feet of natural gas per year.

Electricity

• Electricity is produced primarily in two ways: by flowing water, which drives hydro turbines to produce hydroelectricity, and by burning other fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which drives turbines to provide thermal power.
• Fast flowing water, a renewable resource, is used to create hydroelectricity.
• Hydroelectric power is produced by a variety of multi-purpose projects in India, including the Bhakra Nangal, Damodar Valley Corporation, and the Kopili Hydel Project.
• Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are used to create thermal electricity.
• Thermal power plants generate energy using nonrenewable fossil sources.
• The gross electricity generated by utilities in India in fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 was 1,383.5 TWh, while total power generation (utilities and non-utilities) was 1,598 TWh.
• In FY2019, per capita, gross power usage was 1,208 kWh.

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

• Renewable energy sources, often known as non-conventional energy, are continuously renewed by natural processes.
• These are not the source of the pollution.

Solar Energy

• Sunlight generates solar energy. The photovoltaic cells are exposed to sunlight dependent on the type of power required.
• The energy is used for cooking and water distillation.
• Some large solar power plants are being built in various areas of India, which would reduce rural communities' reliance on firewood and dung cakes.
• Therefore contributing to environmental conservation and a sufficient supply of manure in agriculture.
• In the previous five years, solar power capacity has expanded by more than 11 times, from 2.6 GW in March 2014 to 30 GW in July 2019.
• Solar tariffs in India are now highly competitive and have reached grid parity.

Wind power

• Wind energy is created by harnessing the power of the wind and is mostly used to power irrigation water pumps.
• In terms of wind power generation, India is the second-largest country.
• Tamil Nadu has the biggest wind farm cluster, stretching from Nagercoil to Madurai.
• Apart from these, major wind farms can be found in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Lakshadweep.
• According to a recent evaluation, the country's gross wind power potential is 302 GW at 100 metres and 695.50 GW at 120 metres above ground level.
• The country now ranks fourth in the world for wind installed capacity and generated roughly 60.149 billion units in 2020-21.

Geothermal Energy

• The heat and electricity created by utilizing heat from the Earth's interior are referred to as geothermal energy.
• Geothermal energy exists because the Earth gets hotter as you go deeper into it.
• In such situations, groundwater takes heat from the rocks and becomes hot.
• It's so hot that when it reaches the earth's surface, it condenses into steam.
• This steam powers turbines and generates energy.
• In India, two pilot projects to capture geothermal energy have been established. One is in Himachal Pradesh's Parvati Valley in Manikaran, while the other is in Ladakh's Puga Valley.
• India has a large geothermal energy potential; it is believed that India has around 10,000 MW of geothermal power potential, which may be used for a variety of applications.

Nuclear or Atomic Energy

• It is created by modifying the structure of atoms.
• When such a change is performed, a large amount of energy is released in the form of heat, which is then used to create electricity.
• Uranium and Thorium, which are found in Jharkhand and Rajasthan's Aravalli mountains, are used to generate atomic or nuclear power.
• Kerala's Monazite sands are likewise high in Thorium.
• Nuclear power is India's fifth-largest source of electricity. India is also ranked seventh in terms of nuclear reactors, with over 23 nuclear reactors in seven power stations around the nation, producing 6780 MW of nuclear energy.

Hydro Power Energy Sources

• The conversion of energy from flowing water into electricity is referred to as hydropower or hydroelectricity.
• Hydropower is a renewable form of energy because it utilises rather than consumes water in the creation of electricity, leaving this critical resource accessible for other applications.
• Hydropower is the cheapest and cleanest form of electricity, but there are numerous environmental and social challenges involved with large dams, as witnessed in projects like Tehri, Narmada, and others. Small hydropower, on the other hand, is free of these issues.
• There are 197 hydropower plants in India.
• The end of the nineteenth century saw the rise of authority in India. Darjeeling received electricity in 1897, and a hydropower station at Shivasamudram, Karnataka, was inaugurated in 1902.
• India's installed utility-scale hydroelectric capacity was 46,000 MW as of March 31, 2020, accounting for 12.3 percent of the country's total utility power production capacity.

Tidal Energy

• Tidal energy is created by harnessing the power of the sea's tidal waves. Due to a lack of cost-effective technologies, this supply has yet to be tapped.
• Tides in the ocean may be exploited to create power.
• Floodgate dams are constructed across inlets.
• The Gulf of Khambhat, the Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat on the western coast, and the Gangetic delta in the Sunderban districts of West Bengal provide perfect conditions for tidal energy utilisation in India.
• India's ocean energy potential is projected to be roughly 54 gigawatts (GW) - tidal power (12.45 GW) and wave power (41.3 GW)
• India aims to reach 175 GW of installed capacity by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030.

Energy Consumption in India

• India's main energy consumption is predicted to quadruple by 2040, as the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rises to $8.6 trillion.
• India has the fastest-growing global energy consumption between 2019 and 2040, accounting for about a quarter of it.
• It has the second-highest rate of renewable energy expansion. China is in first place.
• By 2030, India will have surpassed the EU in terms of its energy grid.
• Given its five-fold rise in per capita automobile ownership, India will lead the world in oil demand growth by 2040.
• India's expanding energy demands will make it more reliant on imported fossil fuels, since local oil and gas output has been static for years despite government plans to boost petroleum exploration and production as well as renewable energy.
• India's oil demand is expected to increase by 74% to 8.7 million barrels per day by 2040.
• By 2040, India will be the fastest-growing natural gas market, with demand more than doubling.
• India's electrical industry is now dominated by coal, which accounts for more than 70% of total generation.
• Demand for coal is expected to increase to 772 million tonnes by 2040, up from the current 590 million tonnes.
• India has the fastest-growing global energy consumption between 2019 and 2040, accounting for about a quarter of it.
• It has the second-highest rate of renewable energy expansion. China is in first place.

Energy Resources Conservation and Management

• Energy is a necessary component of economic progress. Agriculture, industrial, transportation, commerce, and household sectors of the national economy all require energy inputs.
• To stay functioning, the economic growth plans enacted since Independence have needed growing amounts of energy.
• As a result, energy consumption in all forms has been continuously increasing throughout the country. In light of this, it is critical to design a long-term energy development strategy.
• The twin pillars of sustainable energy are energy conservation and growing utilisation of renewable energy sources.
• The Energy Conservation (EC) Act was passed in 2001 with the purpose of lowering the Indian economy's energy intensity.
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was established as a statutory entity at the federal level in 2002 to aid in the execution of the Energy Conservation Act.
• It reports to the Ministry of Power.
• Between 2013 and 2030, India's energy consumption is predicted to quadruple to almost 1500 million tonnes of oil equivalent.
• The Energy Conservation Act of 2001 (ECA):
• The Act establishes regulatory requirements for equipment and appliance standards and labelling, commercial building energy conservation rules, and energy consumption standards for energy-intensive sectors.

India Energy Outlook 2021

• The India Energy Outlook is a country-specific version of the International Energy Agency's (IEA) World Energy Outlook.
• India will overtake the European Union as the world's third-largest energy user by 2030, according to the analysis.
• By 2040, India's industrialization will be a key driver, with the country accounting for about 20% of worldwide growth in industrial value-added and leading global growth in industrial final energy consumption, particularly in steelmaking.
• By 2030, India's oil import bill may have doubled.
• By 2040, natural gas consumption will have tripled, if not exceeded.
• Coal dominates India's energy industry, with consumption expected to climb from 590 MT to 772 MT by 2040.
• India's main energy consumption is predicted to quadruple by 2040, as the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rises to $8.6 trillion.
• India has the fastest-growing global energy consumption between 2019 and 2040, accounting for about a quarter of it.
• It has the second-highest rate of renewable energy expansion. China is in first place.
• By 2030, India will have surpassed the EU in terms of its energy grid.
• Given its five-fold rise in per capita automobile ownership, India will lead the world in oil demand growth by 2040.

Conclusion

Coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium, and electricity are all fuel materials that may be used to create energy. Energy saving methods are being used in order to lessen society's environmental effect. Remember that conserving energy immediately benefits the environment. All forms of fuels used in the modern world, whether for heating, electrical energy generation, or other types of energy conversion activities, are considered energy resources.

FAQs 

MCQs

1. Which of the following is the most abundant source of energy in India?

A. Oil
B. Coal
C. Natural Gas
D. Nuclear Energy

2. Which state in India is a leading producer of solar energy?

A. Assam
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Rajasthan
D. Bihar

3. Where is the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant located?

A. Maharashtra
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Karnataka
D. Gujarat

4. Which basin in India is known for its natural gas reserves?

A. Kaveri Basin
B. Narmada Basin
C. Krishna-Godavari Basin
D. Mahanadi Basin

5. Which energy resource is primarily harnessed in coastal and hilly regions of India?

A. Coal
B. Hydropower
C. Wind Energy
D. Nuclear Energy

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of coal as an energy resource in India’s energy mix.

Answer: Coal remains the most significant energy resource in India, contributing to more than half of the country's energy needs. India is the second-largest producer of coal globally, and the abundant reserves in states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh make it a key pillar of India's energy sector. Despite growing interest in renewable energy, coal remains essential for thermal power plants, which generate a large portion of India's electricity. However, coal's environmental impact, including carbon emissions, has raised concerns, leading to efforts to transition towards cleaner energy sources.

Q2: Analyze the potential of renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, in India’s energy future.

Answer: India has immense potential in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power. With regions like the Thar Desert receiving high solar radiation, solar energy has become a cornerstone of India's renewable energy strategy. Additionally, the wind-rich coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra provide opportunities for wind energy generation. The government’s ambitious plans, such as achieving 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, demonstrate India's commitment to transitioning towards clean and sustainable energy. These renewable sources are vital for reducing carbon emissions and ensuring energy security in the long term.

Q3: Examine the role of nuclear energy in India’s strategy to diversify its energy resources.

Answer: Nuclear energy plays a crucial role in India’s strategy to diversify its energy resources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. With growing energy demands and concerns about carbon emissions, nuclear power offers a reliable, low-carbon alternative. India’s nuclear power infrastructure, including plants like Kudankulam and Tarapur, contributes a small but important portion of the country’s electricity supply. The government aims to expand nuclear capacity under its Nuclear Energy Programme, with international collaborations for technology transfer. However, concerns about safety and waste disposal must be addressed to realize the full potential of nuclear energy.

Previous Year Questions on Energy Resources

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Which of the following states is known for leading wind energy production in India?
A. Punjab
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Jharkhand
D. Assam

Answer: B

Explanation: Tamil Nadu is one of the leading states in wind energy production, benefiting from its coastal geography and favorable wind conditions.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 3)

Question: Examine the challenges and opportunities of shifting India’s energy mix towards renewable sources such as solar and wind energy.

Explanation: India faces several challenges in shifting its energy mix toward renewable energy sources. These include the high initial costs of solar and wind infrastructure, grid integration issues, and the intermittent nature of renewable energy. However, India also has vast opportunities, including favorable geography, abundant solar and wind resources, and government initiatives like the National Solar Mission. The transition to renewable energy is crucial for reducing carbon emissions, ensuring energy security, and meeting climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.