PM pledges to make India energy independent by 2047, cites fuel bill

Introduction:

The Prime Minister of India has announced new goals during his Independence Day Speech.

What are the Goals announced by the Prime Minister?

Energy Independent India by 2047: The Prime Minister has announced a target of making India an ‘Energy Independent’ nation by the time the country reaches 100 years of India’s independence, in 2047.

Present Energy Situation:

1. India at present spends more than Rs 12 trillion annually on energy import.
2. India announced a goal in 2015 to make a 10% cut in crude oil import dependence by 2022.
3. This target is far from being achieved and the county’s import reliance has only risen. Instead of cutting imports by 10 percent, its proportion has continued to rise from 2015.
   • Annual domestic crude oil output has fallen to below 30 million tonnes (mt) in 2020-21 from 35.5mt in 2015-16. Due to this, the total crude oil import has risen to 226 mt.

How India is moving towards Energy independent?

1. The Indian Government plans to make India energy independent by 2047 through various schemes such as 20% Ethanol blending and providing an impetus to electric mobility among others.
2. Net Zero Railway Emission by 2030: Indian Railways has set a target of becoming Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030.
   • The Indian Railways plans to achieve its Net Zero Carbon emitter target through a mix of electrification, improving energy efficiency of locomotives and trains. Further railways also planned a green certification for installations and stations, fitting bio toilets in coaches and switching to renewable sources of energy.

What has been achieved so far in railways?

1. Around 71% of the total Broad-Gauge (BG) network of Indian Railways has been electrified by March 31, 2021.
2. The Central Organisation for Railway Electrification plans to electrify all BG routes of the Indian Railway by December 2023.

Global Green Energy Hub in India:

1. The Government of India has announced the National Hydrogen Mission to make India a Global Green Energy Hub.
2. Green Hydrogen is pure hydrogen generated by using renewable energy such as solar power and wind energy. The by-products are water and water vapour.