Major ongoing Renewable Energy Schemes and Programmes GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power has informed that the Government has set a target of achieving 500 GW of installed capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030, in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement at COP-26.
- Efforts have been made by the Government to increase awareness about the use of renewable energy through introduction of various schemes and publicity through print and media.
Ongoing major Renewable Energy Schemes / Programmes:
- Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra-mega Solar Power Projects with a target of setting up 40,000 MW capacity. Under the scheme, the infrastructure such as land, roads, power evacuation system water facilities are developed with all statutory clearances/approvals. Thus, the scheme helps expeditious development of utility-scale solar projects in the country.
- Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme Phase-II (Government Producer Scheme) for setting up grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Projects by Government Producers, using domestically manufactured solar PV cells and modules, with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support, for self-use or use by Government/ Government entities, either directly or through Distribution Companies (DISCOMS).
- Production Linked Incentive scheme ‘National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules’ for achieving manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt (GW) scale in High Efficiency Solar PV modules (Tranche- I & II).
- PM-KUSUM Scheme to promote small Grid Connected Solar Energy Power Plants, stand-alone solar powered agricultural pumps and solarisation of existing grid connected agricultural pumps. The scheme is not only beneficial to the farmers but also States and DISCOMs. States will save on subsidy being provided for electricity to agriculture consumers and DISCOMs get cheaper solar power at tail end saving transmission and distribution losses.
- Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II for grid connected solar rooftop power plants. Under this Programme, subsidy is provided for residential sector and performance linked incentives to DISCOMs for achieving capacity addition in rooftop solar above baseline.
- Green Energy Corridors (GEC): to create intra-state transmission system for renewable energy projects. Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is provided to set up transmission infrastructure for evacuation of Power from Renewable Energy projects in total ten States (considering both the phases of GEC).
- Intra-State Transmission System Green Energy Corridor Phase-I
- Intra-State Transmission System Green Energy Corridor Phase-II
- Waste to Energy Programme: Programme on Energy from Urban, industrial and Agricultural Wastes/Residues
- Biomass Programme: Scheme to Support Manufacturing of Briquettes & Pellets and Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration in Industries.
- Biogas Programme: for promotion of family type Biogas plants
- Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development (RE-RTD) Programme (Support Programme).
- Human Resource Development Scheme with components such as short term trainings & skill development programmes, fellowships, internships, support to lab upgradation for RE and renewable energy chair.
- National Green Hydrogen Mission launched with an outlay of Rs. 19,744 crore with aim to make India a Global Hub for production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
Steps by Government for promoting growth and sustainability in urban sector
GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- Recently, the minister of state in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in a written reply in Lok Sabha discussed the steps taken by government for promoting growth and sustainability in urban sector.
Urban Planning:
- As per the 12th Schedule of the Constitution of India, urban planning is a State subject. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States through schematic interventions/ advisories.
- It provides financial and technical support to the States. State Town Planning Departments and Urban Development Authorities act as city and state level urban anchors.
Initiatives for promoting growth and sustainability in urban sector:
Swachh Bharat Mission:
- It is accelerating change for safe sanitation, waste management with focus on door to door collection/segregation, waste processing etc.
Smart Cities Mission:
- It aims at promoting cities that provide core infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment and give a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of ‘smart solutions’.
- The focus is on sustainable and inclusive development by creation of replicable models which act as lighthouses to other aspiring cities.
National Urban Livelihood Mission:
- It aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self employment and skilled wage employment opportunities.
- The mission also aims at providing shelters equipped with essential services to the urban homeless in a phased manner and would also address livelihood concerns of the urban street vendors.
PM SVANidhi scheme:
- It is a special micro-credit facility launched by ministry for providing affordable loans to street vendors.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission:
- It intends to provide housing in urban areas. The Mission addresses urban housing shortage among EWS/LIG and MIG categories including slum dwellers by ensuring pucca houses.
- It provides Central Assistance to the implementing agencies through States/Union Territories (UTs) and Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) for providing houses to all eligible families/ beneficiaries.
In order to incentivize States to undertake urban planning reforms, two schemes were launched:
Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2022-23 – Part – VI (Urban Planning Reforms) (allocation - Rs. 6000 Cr):
- The reform components include Modernization of Building Bylaws, Adoption of Transferrable Development Rights (TDR), Implementation of Local Area Plans (LAP) and Town Planning Schemes (TPS), Implementation of Transit-oriented Development (ToD), Creation of Sponge Cities, Removing Taxation for running the Buses for Public Transport.
- Funds amounting to Rs. 4093.16 Cr were released by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of finance to 12 States.
Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24 – Part – III (Urban Planning Reforms) (allocation – Rs. 15000 Cr):
- The reform components include Augmentation of human resources for strengthening urban planning ecosystem, Implementation of Town Planning Scheme (TPS)/ Land Pooling Scheme, Modernization of Building Bylaws, Promoting in-situ slum rehabilitation, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), Transferable Development Rights as planning tool, Strengthening natural ecosystems of urban areas through urban planning.
