Government proposes to set up more nuclear power plants for augmenting production of clean energy

Government proposes to set up more nuclear power plants for augmenting production of clean energy

• Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, Government proposes to set up more nuclear power plants for augmenting production of clean energy.
• Dr Jitendra Singh said, in addition to the eleven (11) reactors (8700 MW) under construction, the Government has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for construction of ten (10) indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to be set up in fleet mode.
• The government has also accorded in principle approval for five new sites for setting up nuclear power plants in the future.
• Dr Jitendra Singh said, the tariffs of electricity generated by nuclear power are comparable to those of contemporary conventional base load generators like thermal power. The present installed nuclear power capacity comprises of 22 reactors with a total capacity of 6780 MW. In addition, one reactor, KAPP-3 (700 MW) has also been connected to the grid.

Plan to install 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 to cost ₹2.44 trillion

• India plans to add 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy to its electricity grid by 2030 in a bid to clean up air in its cities and lessen the rapidly growing economy’s dependence on coal.
• India would have installed 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022 without taking into account large hydro and 225 GW including large hydro.
• India, the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to cut emissions and have clean energy account for at least 40 percent of its installed capacity by 2030, up from 21.4 percent now, while looking to manage its energy appetite as its population becomes more prosperous.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government changed rules for the awarding of renewable energy projects in 2017, leading to higher competition, lower prices and greater acceptance of renewable energy. But research analysts have been skeptical about India meeting its ambitious targets.

758 One Stop Centres (OSCs) approved for setting up in 734 districts across the country

• Ministry of Women and Child Development has approved 758 One Stop Centres (OSCs) for setting up in 734 districts across the country, out of which 730 OSCs have been operationalized in 36 States/ UTs that have assisted over 6.22 lakh women till September, 2022. 
• The OSCs has provisions for providing temporary shelter up to 5 days to the distressed women.
• The guidelines of Mission Shakti provide the eligibility for engagement of manpower under the OSC component. The guideline does not debar any eligible victim or survivor of violence, rape and acid attack from engagement in these centres for psycho-social support and counselling.