Power Resources
Geography · ऊर्जा संसाधन
📋Quick Overview
India is the 3rd largest producer and 3rd largest consumer of electricity in the world. Power resources are classified into Conventional (thermal, hydro, nuclear) and Non-conventional (solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas). Thermal power contributes the largest share (~60%) of India's total electricity generation. India is rapidly expanding renewable energy under the National Solar Mission and other initiatives.
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India's target: 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Bhadla Solar Park (Rajasthan) is the world's largest solar park.
📖Conventional vs Non-Conventional Energy
📖Nuclear Power Plants in India
| Nuclear Plant | State | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Tarapur | Maharashtra | India's first nuclear power plant (1969), oldest operating, with US collaboration |
| Rawatbhata (RAPS) | Rajasthan | Canada collaborated (CANDU reactors), near Kota |
| Kalpakkam (MAPS) | Tamil Nadu | First indigenously built nuclear plant, has IGCAR and FBTR |
| Narora (NAPS) | Uttar Pradesh | Located on the banks of Ganga river |
| Kakrapar (KAPS) | Gujarat | India's first 700 MWe reactor operational here |
| Kudankulam (KKNPP) | Tamil Nadu | Largest nuclear plant, Russian collaboration, near Kanyakumari |
| Kaiga | Karnataka | In Western Ghats, holds record for continuous operation |
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Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was set up in 1948. Dr. Homi Bhabha is the Father of India's Nuclear Programme. DAE (Department of Atomic Energy) operates nuclear plants through NPCIL.
📝Solar & Wind Power
- •Bhadla Solar Park (Jodhpur, Rajasthan): World's largest solar park (~2,245 MW)
- •Pavagada Solar Park (Tumkur, Karnataka): One of the world's largest solar parks
- •National Solar Mission (Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission) launched in 2010
- •International Solar Alliance (ISA): Co-founded by India & France, HQ: Gurugram, Haryana
- •Wind Power: Tamil Nadu is #1 state, followed by Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka
- •Muppandal (Tamil Nadu): Asia's largest wind farm
- •Jaisalmer (Rajasthan): Important wind power site in the Thar desert region
📝India's Energy Policy & Key Points
- •India's electricity generation mix: Thermal (~60%), Renewable (~25%), Hydro (~12%), Nuclear (~3%)
- •India targets 500 GW non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030
- •India pledged Net Zero emissions by 2070 at COP26 (Glasgow)
- •Bhakra Nangal (Sutlej, HP/Punjab): One of India's largest hydroelectric projects
- •Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand): India's tallest dam (260m), hydroelectric project on Bhagirathi