UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24 April 2024

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 3:

• Challenges posed by Renewable Energy Projects in India

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• Reports in News

• Sodium-ion battery

• Neptis philyra

• Golden trevally

• Rampage Missiles

• Military Exercises in News

Mapping

• Mount Erebus

Challenges posed by Renewable Energy Projects in India

#### GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Indian Economy/ Environment Conservation

Source: TH

Context: The challenges posed by renewable energy development, particularly in the context of solar parks, underscore the complex intersection between sustainable energy goals and local socio-economic and environmental concerns.

India’s Renewable Energy Status:

India is the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. In the fiscal year 2023-24, India added over 18 GW of renewable energy capacity, a 21% increase from the previous year, led by solar (approx. 13 GW) and wind (approx. 2 GW) installations. Total installed capacity has risen from over 76 GW in 2014 to approx. 179 GW by October 2023, nearly 2.34 times higher.

India aims to install 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, significantly up from the previous 450 GW target.

Examples of large-scale solar Park in India:

Solar Park Name | Location | Capacity | Land Area

Khavda Solar and Wind Park | Near Vighakot village, Kutch, Gujarat | 30 GW | 72,600 hectares

Pavagada Solar Park | Karnataka | 2,050 MW | 13,000+ acres

Bhadla Solar Park | Bhadla village, Jodhpur District, Rajasthan | 2.25 GW | 14,000 acres

Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park | Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh | 1,000 MW | Almost 6,000 acres

Charanka Solar Park | Gujarat

Large-Scale Renewable Energy Parks: Positive Impacts

• Steady Income for Landowners: Farmers in areas like Pavagada, Karnataka, gain a reliable annual income by leasing their land to solar parks.

• Renewable Energy Production: These parks play a vital role in India’s renewable energy output, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting the country’s goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.

• Employment Opportunities: The development of large-scale renewable energy projects creates job opportunities locally, fostering employment growth in the regions where they are established.

Challenges Posed by the Renewable Energy Projects:

Issue | Description

Land Use Challenge | Large-scale renewable energy projects, especially solar parks, require extensive land use. India may need 50,000-75,000 sq. km of land, about half the size of Tamil Nadu, to achieve its Net Zero targets. This poses a challenge as it may lead to the conversion of agricultural land.

Impact on Food Security | Conversion of agricultural land for renewable energy could affect food security. India needs at least 400,000 hectares of land by 2030 to meet renewable goals, potentially disrupting agricultural practices and reducing available farming land.

Loss of Common Lands | Near Bhadla, Rajasthan, solar parks have led to the loss of sacred common lands and grazing areas, negatively impacting local farmers and pastoralists.

Resource Competition | Large water demand for maintaining solar panels can conflict with local water needs, impacting water security.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Disruption | Construction of solar parks can lead to biodiversity loss, especially in sensitive ecosystems like deserts, impacting the overall ecological balance.

Regional Divide in Renewable Energy Projects:

According to the Central Electricity Authority’s report on Optimal Generation Capacity Mix, by 2030, solar and wind will make up almost 51 per cent of total generation capacity and almost 31 per cent of all generated power. If these projections materialise, they are likely to have major fiscal consequences for the coal-rich states of the East (where the majority of poor people live)

The concentration of RE assets in West and South

India’s massive RE build-out so far has largely benefited western and southern states. In August 2023, 92.5 per cent of all grid-connected RE generation came from eight states(Central Electricity Authority).

The main reasons behind this are;

• Higher insolation and wind density: Instrumental in the generation of solar and wind power respectively. Eg: Rajasthan for solar power and Tamil Nadu for wind power.

• Eg: Rajasthan for solar power and Tamil Nadu for wind power.

• Favourable state finances: Coal-rich states lack diversity in terms of revenue sources and experience higher fiscal strain. Eg: States like Jharkhand and Odisha depend a lot on coal royalties.

• Eg: States like Jharkhand and Odisha depend a lot on coal royalties.

• Investment environment: Southern and Western states have better fiscal and budgetary condition that promotes investor confidence.

• Land availability and cost of RE: According to Bridge to India, a renewable power consultancy, the lack of easy availability of renewable resources and land together are the main hindrances in the growth of renewable energy in the eastern region.

Impacts on the revenue of coal-rich states

• The decline in royalties: Coal royalties as a proportion of overall state revenue will decline as coal growth starts slowing later this decade

• Increase in cost of power: The cost of power procurement will increase as new RE contracts are layered on top of existing commitments for firm power.

• Increase in power import: Grid-scale energy storage technologies are unlikely to be adopted at a large scale by the end of the decade. Since most coal-rich states have limited grid-scale RE-deployment, they will have to import more power from other states.

• Worsen budget deficits: Declining royalties and increasing imports could worsen the budget deficits of RE-poor power-importing states by almost 66 per cent on average(beyond the norms of the FRBM Act, 2003).

• Displacement of RE integration costs: By giving inter-state transmission waivers to an entire generation of new RE projects, the integration costs of the energy transition are displaced onto state PSU balance sheets without necessarily facilitating compensatory investment in upgraded transmission capacity, which can better manage the variability of the new RE projects.

• Global market dynamics: International demand for cleaner energy sources could influence India’s energy export market. States with significant renewable energy assets may benefit from such global dynamics, potentially affecting the overall economic landscape.

Way forward

Action | Description

Expand Community Engagement | Involve local communities in planning and decision-making for solar park developments to align projects with local needs, similar to community leasing in Pavagada.

Revise Legal Frameworks | Strengthen laws to require Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for solar parks, preventing adverse effects on local communities and ecosystems.

Promote Agrivoltaics | Implement agrivoltaic systems combining agriculture with solar energy, providing dual land use for energy production and farming, maximizing land efficiency and supporting local economies.

Enhance Training Programs | Develop targeted training programs to equip local populations with new skills, ensuring they benefit from shifts in employment opportunities due to renewable energy projects.

Balanced Regional Development | Give RE-poor states a bigger stake in the energy transition, reviving the philosophy of balanced regional developmentalism, and providing preferential lending for RE projects in these states.

Greater Voice in Federal Power Negotiations | Provide RE-poor states with a greater voice in federal power negotiations, possibly through the revival of institutions like the Inter-State Council.

Financial Transfers to RE-poor States | Ensure explicit financial transfers to RE-poor states through mechanisms like the Finance Commission, promoting collaborative industrial policy through just transition mechanisms.

Conclusion

Green industrial policy should not be the exclusive privilege of historically well-endowed states. Otherwise, the energy transition will simply be yet another drain of resources from India’s least developed to its most developed regions. Policy measures that support both the decline of traditional energy sources and the rise of renewables will play a key role in managing these transitions effectively.

Insta Links:

Perspective- India’s Green Energy Transition

Prelims Link:

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’: (UPSC 2014)

• It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO.

• It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.

• It is a movement to raise awareness about climate change and the need to save the planet.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: C

With reference to ‘Water Credit’, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2021)

• It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.

• It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organisation and the World Bank.

• It aims to enable poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: C

Reports in News

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Name | Description

Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2023 Report | It was released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

Key findings reveal that in 2023, India ranked as the fourth-largest military spender globally, following the United States, China, and Russia.

NATO member states collectively spent $1341 billion (55% of global military expenditure)

Overall, world military spending surged to a record high of $2443 billion, propelled by events like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and escalating geopolitical tensions.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute is an international institute based in Stockholm. It was founded in 1966 and provides data, analysis and recommendations for armed conflict, military expenditure and arms trade as well as disarmament and arms control

‘Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate’ Report | Released by the International Labour Organization (ILO)

The report highlights climate change’s impact on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): Excessive heat annually contributes to over 2 million disability-adjusted life years, posing risks to outdoor workers, especially in hot climates. Existing international labor standards address climate-related OSH hazards.

Vulnerable sections, like women workers in agriculture and those with disabilities, face increased risks.

India-related findings show factors like water shortages contributing to farmer suicides

Recommendations include coordinating OSH policies, implementing targeted national policies, and adopting effective workplace preventive measures.

Excessive heat annually contributes to over 2 million disability-adjusted life years, posing risks to outdoor workers, especially in hot climates.

Existing international labor standards address climate-related OSH hazards.

Sodium-ion battery

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: WION

Context: South Korean researchers have developed a high-power hybrid sodium-ion battery capable of charging in seconds, marking a potential breakthrough in energy storage technology.

• Sodium, being nearly 1000 times more abundant than lithium, offers a cheaper and more feasible energy source.

• This development suggests the battery could be a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, meeting increasing demands for low-cost energy storage devices with high energy density.

Feature | Sodium-ion Batteries | Lithium-ion Batteries

Cost | Generally lower cost due to the abundance of sodium (Sodium is 500-1000 times more abundant than lithium). | Higher cost due to the scarcity of lithium and its extraction process.

Energy Density | Lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries. | Higher energy density, providing more power in a smaller size.

Cycle Life | Generally lower cycle life compared to lithium-ion batteries. | Longer cycle life, retaining capacity over more charge-discharge cycles.

Safety | Generally safer due to the less reactive nature of sodium. | Generally safe but can be prone to thermal runaway under certain conditions.

Environmental Impact | Sodium is more abundant and less harmful to the environment. | Lithium extraction and disposal can have environmental consequences.

Application | Suitable for large-scale energy storage and grid applications. | Widely used in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and portable devices.

Neptis philyra

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TOI

Context: Butterfly enthusiasts made a remarkable discovery in Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lower Subansiri district, India, spotting the elusive Neptis philyra, also known as the long-streak sailor, for the first time in the country.

• The butterfly, initially described in Russia in 1859, is native to East Asia but had not been recorded in India before.

Golden trevally

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Business Line

Context: The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute achieved a significant breakthrough in mariculture by successfully developing seed production technology for golden trevally, a high-value marine fish.

• This accomplishment is expected to create new opportunities for sustainable seafood production and enhance India’s mariculture potential.

Golden trevally is considered a promising species for marine aquaculture due to its rapid growth, high-quality meat, and strong market demand for consumption and ornamental purposes.

Rampage Missiles

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TOI

Context: Israel recently utilized the Rampage missile in an attack on an Iranian military base.

• The Rampage missile is an air-to-surface weapon developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Israeli Military Industries Systems.

Features of Rampage:

• Designed for precision strikes, it targets high-quality, well-protected sites such as communication centres and air force bases.

• The missile boasts supersonic speeds, making it challenging to intercept.

• With a range exceeding 190 miles, it can be deployed from aircraft or as a stand-alone system, utilizing GPS/INS guidance navigation and anti-jamming capabilities.

• Additionally, it can adjust its trajectory mid-flight and operate effectively in various weather conditions, ensuring precise target hits.

Military Exercises in News

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH,

Name | Description

Exercise Poorvi Lehar | Exercise Poorvi Lehar (XPOL) is a maritime exercise conducted by the Indian Navy along the East Coast. Its aim is to validate procedures for assessing the Navy’s preparedness to tackle Maritime Security challenges in the region.

The exercise involved participation from Ships, Submarines, Aircraft, and Special Forces.

Multi-nation Combined Task Force-150 under Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) | The Indian Navy seized drugs in the Arabian Sea as part of the multinational Combined Task Force-150 under CMF. This operation, known as Operation Crimson Barracuda, marks the first such initiative by the Indian Navy since joining CMF in 2022.

CMF is a multinational maritime partnership focused on upholding the Rules-Based International Order by countering illicit nonstate actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability, and prosperity in international waters. With 42 member countries (including India), CMF’s main focus areas include defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation, and promoting a safe maritime environment. Participation in CMF is voluntary, and it is commanded by a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral

Exercise Dustlik | The fifth edition of the annual Exercise DUSTLIK, a joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan, is being held from April 15–28, 2024, in Termez, Uzbekistan.

The exercise aims to bolster bilateral military cooperation, improve combined capabilities, and promote interoperability. It specifically concentrates on conducting joint operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.

CMF is a multinational maritime partnership focused on upholding the Rules-Based International Order by countering illicit nonstate actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability, and prosperity in international waters. With 42 member countries (including India), CMF’s main focus areas include defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation, and promoting a safe maritime environment. Participation in CMF is voluntary, and it is commanded by a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral

Mount Erebus

#### Mapping

Source: HT

Context: Mount Erebus, located in Antarctica, is raining gold on Earth, spewing out approximately 80 grams of gold worth $6000 daily, according to NASA’s Earth Observatory. However, the remote location makes it impossible for anyone to claim this fortune, ruling out any possibility of a gold rush.

How is Gold Being formed in the Volcano?

Gold is being formed and ejected in Mount Erebus, an Antarctic volcano, through a geological process involving the release of gases from deep within the Earth. These gases contain tiny particles of gold, which crystallize as they rise to the surface. When the volcano erupts, these gas pockets burst open, dispersing the crystallized gold far and wide, including in the surrounding area.

About Mount Erebus:

Mount Erebus, located on Ross Island, Antarctica, is the southernmost active volcano on Earth. As a stratovolcano, it features a conical shape with layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. Notably, Mount Erebus is renowned for its persistent lava lake, active since at least 1972, making it one of the few long-lived lava lakes globally.

It is the tallest active volcano in Antarctica. It stands out as the most violent, with a tragic history, including the infamous Mount Erebus disaster, where an Air New Zealand plane crashed into it, killing 257 people due to an optical illusion known as ‘whiteout’.