Clean Energy : Daily Current Affairs

Clean Energy

Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on 9th Dec, 2020 said clean energy is critical for India and it is important for the country to get into cutting-edge technology.

It was emphasized that India in the long run must become a manufacturer of solar products in India.
Noting that clean technologies are becoming darling of investors, Kant said the solar industry should not only look at manufacturing for India but also for the rest of the world.
The government has announced production-linked incentive (PLI) for automobile and solar energy sectors to make the country a manufacturing base of auto components and solar photovoltaic cells.
It was also that power distribution companies (discoms) need to be reformed and the government has also announced that all Union territories' (UT) discoms will get privatized.
Huge revolution of electric mobility is inevitable as in the next 2-3 decades cost of battery will fall making electric vehicles cheaper.
The PLI scheme by itself is great, but a long-term roadmap for things like customs duty is required.

NCSEA (NC Sustainable Energy Association) defines Clean Energy as energy derived from renewable, zero-emissions sources as well as energy saved through energy efficiency (EE) measures.
It is energy that is produced through methods that do not release greenhouse gases or any other pollutants. Clean energy can be generated from renewable sources like solar and air currents.
It is important to note that the terms Renewable Energy and clean energy are not interchangeable. Not all renewable energy methods are clean energy. For example, geothermal power is renewable energy source but some of the ways it can be processed can have a negative impact on the environment.
The benefits of clean energy are that it reduces our reliance on Fossil Fuels and can mitigate Climate Change.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi gave approval to introduce the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme on 11th November,2020 in the 10 key sectors for Enhancing India’s Manufacturing Capabilities and Enhancing Exports – Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The PLI scheme across these 10 key specific sectors will make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investment in the areas of core competency and cutting-edge technology; ensure efficiencies; create economies of scale; enhance exports and make India an integral part of the global supply chain.