GENERAL NETWORK ACCESS

Published on 01 Mar 2025

General Network Access in Energy refers to the availability and reliability of the infrastructure that allows for the distribution and transmission of energy, such as electricity, natural gas, or other power sources, to end-users like households, businesses, and industries. This includes the grid systems, pipelines, substations, and other related infrastructure that ensure energy reaches consumers efficiently and safely.

Key Features of GNA in energy

• Infrastructure Development:

• India’s power grid includes over 425,000 km of transmission lines, which connect various regions and ensure energy distribution across the country.

• The country has around 30 inter-regional transmission corridors with a capacity of 112 GW, facilitating the flow of electricity between regions.

• Grid Connectivity:

• India’s interconnected grid allows for the transfer of energy between states, reducing regional disparities in energy availability.

• Example: The Southern Grid, previously isolated, was connected to the National Grid in 2014, enabling energy exchange with other regions.

• Reliability and Quality of Supply:

• The Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) has led to an improvement in operational efficiency, reducing power distribution losses from 23% in 2016 to about 19% by 2022.

• Despite these improvements, frequent outages still affect rural and semi-urban areas, indicating a need for further enhancement in grid reliability.

• Universal Access:

• India has achieved near-universal electrification with the Saubhagya scheme, which connected over 28.6 million households to the grid since its launch in 2017.

• As of 2022, 99% of Indian households have access to electricity, though quality and reliability remain issues in some remote areas.

• Smart Grid Integration:

• India’s smart grid projects, such as the Smart Cities Mission, include the installation of over 5 million smart meters, aiming to reduce energy theft and improve billing efficiency.

• These initiatives are expected to save about 2.1 billion kWh of electricity annually by 2025.

• Regulatory Framework:

• The Electricity Act, 2003, and its amendments have led to a more competitive and transparent energy market, facilitating private sector participation.

• Regulatory reforms have also supported the growth of renewable energy, with India’s renewable capacity reaching 122 GW by 2022.

• Renewable Energy Integration:

• Renewable Energy Management Centres (REMCs) manage the integration of renewables, helping India reach a renewable energy share of 38% in its installed capacity by 2022.

• The national grid has been increasingly accommodating renewable energy, contributing to India’s goal of 175 GW of renewable capacity by 2022, a target that was 70% achieved.

India's Sustainable Energy Achievements and Progress Towards SDG 7

• Renewable Energy Capacity

• India has achieved 176.2 GW of renewable energy capacity as of 2023, including solar, wind, and hydro power. 

• This positions India as the world's third-largest renewable energy producer, contributing significantly to the global shift toward sustainable energy.

• Solar Energy Growth

• Solar power capacity in India has reached 68 GW, driven by initiatives like the National Solar Mission. 

• The rapid expansion aligns with SDG 7's goal of affordable and clean energy, moving India closer to its target of 100 GW by 2022.

• Wind Energy Development

• With a wind power capacity of 42 GW, India ranks fourth globally in wind energy production.

•  This growth is a key component of the country’s strategy to meet SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

• Energy Access Expansion

• The Saubhagya scheme has provided electricity connections to over 28 million households since its launch in 2017, significantly improving energy access and contributing to India’s progress towards SDG 7.

• Energy Efficiency Initiatives

• India’s energy efficiency programs, such as Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT), have led to substantial energy savings, estimated at 103 million tonnes of oil equivalent by 2020. 

• These efforts contribute to the reduction of energy intensity, a critical aspect of achieving SDG 7.

• International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance, an initiative involving over 120 countries, underscores its commitment to global renewable energy goals. 

• The ISA promotes solar energy use worldwide, aligning with SDG 7’s objectives.

• Policy Framework and Support: 

• Policies like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and state-level renewable energy mandates have supported the rapid growth of renewable energy, helping India stay on track with its SDG 7 commitments.

• Challenges and Future Goals

• Despite significant progress, challenges remain in ensuring universal access to clean energy and further reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. 

• India aims to achieve 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, continuing its commitment to SDG 7.

Tags:
Economy

Keywords:
General Network Access Conventional energy Energy Infrastructure Renewable energy Carbon market mechanisms

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Indian Economy