UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Clean energy softened global crisis impact on India: Modi

Q1. With reference to India's goal of 500 GW of non-fossil installed electricity capacity by 2030, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Installed capacity of nuclear power plants is counted towards this goal.
  2. A goal of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity and a goal of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity would require the same amount of solar and wind additions.
  3. Hydro projects larger than 25 MW are now classified as renewable energy in India, though earlier only smaller hydro projects were.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q2. Suppose a country adds a large amount of solar capacity over a few years while its coal-based capacity stays unchanged. Consider the following statements about the likely outcomes: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Coal's share of electricity generated will fall by as many percentage points as its share of installed capacity.
  2. The non-fossil share of installed capacity will rise faster than the non-fossil share of electricity generated.
  3. The average capacity utilisation of the country's total generating fleet will tend to fall.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 2 only

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. India having met its 2030 target for the non-fossil share of installed power capacity ahead of time does not release it from the obligation to communicate further NDCs.
  2. The Paris Agreement requires each Party to prepare, communicate and maintain successive NDCs, each expected to represent a progression beyond its current one.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. India's non-fossil sources crossed half of its total installed electricity capacity several years before 2030.
  2. India's updated NDC commits it to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. Suppose a conflict in West Asia causes a sustained rise in international crude oil prices. For an economy that imports most of the crude oil it consumes, consider the following as possible consequences, other things remaining equal: Which of the above are likely consequences?

  1. A widening of its current account deficit
  2. Depreciation pressure on its currency
  3. A rise in imported inflation
  4. An improvement in its terms of trade
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Consider the following assertion: Expanding domestic clean-energy capacity strengthens India's economic resilience against supply disruptions in West Asia. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

  1. India's installed solar capacity is now larger than its installed wind capacity.
  2. Electricity from domestic solar and wind plants needs no recurring imported fuel, so its cost does not move with global hydrocarbon prices.
  3. Shifting road transport to electric vehicles charged with domestically generated power lowers the demand for crude oil.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q7. With reference to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is a statutory body, and the authority that existed under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 continues as the CEA under the Electricity Act, 2003.
  2. Collecting and recording data on the generation, transmission, distribution and utilisation of electricity is one of its statutory functions.
  3. Being an independent regulator like the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, it notifies the National Electricity Plan without needing the approval of the Central Government.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q8. With reference to integrating large amounts of solar and wind power into the electricity grid, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. As the share of solar and wind rises, the grid's need for balancing and reserve capacity declines because their combined output becomes steady at scale.
  2. Battery storage co-located with solar plants can shift surplus midday output to meet the evening peak in demand.
  3. Strengthening intra-state transmission in renewable-rich States reduces curtailment of renewable output that cannot otherwise be evacuated.
  4. Because solar output falls away after sunset, the grid needs sources that can ramp up quickly in the evening.
  • A. 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only