Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: 40 percent of total installed electric power capacity
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
As part of global efforts to tackle climate change, countries submit their national commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift towards cleaner sources of energy. India has announced specific targets in its climate action plans, including reductions in emissions intensity of GDP and a higher share of non fossil fuel based energy in its power mix. This question focuses on the targeted share of cumulative electric power installed capacity that India has aimed to achieve from non fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In its nationally determined contributions submitted under international climate agreements, India declared that it would aim to achieve about 40 percent of its cumulative electric power installed capacity from non fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030. This target is in addition to the emissions intensity reduction goal. The idea is to expand renewable and other low carbon sources in the power sector so that a significant portion of installed capacity comes from non fossil sources, thereby reducing dependence on coal and other fossil fuels.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that India international climate commitments include both an emissions intensity target and a clean energy capacity target.Step 2: Identify that the emissions intensity target is to reduce emissions per unit of GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 relative to 2005.Step 3: Remember that the energy target focuses on installed power capacity, not on current generation alone.Step 4: Recognise that India pledged to achieve roughly 40 percent of its installed electric power capacity from non fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030.Step 5: Match this remembered figure with the given options and select 40 percent as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Climate policy summaries and study materials for competitive examinations often reproduce India nationally determined contribution commitments. They clearly state that India aims to achieve about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030. This figure is frequently mentioned alongside the emissions intensity reduction goal of 33 to 35 percent, so students can memorise the numbers together as part of their preparation.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Targets of 10 percent or 20 percent are far below the stated ambition and do not match official documents. A target of 30 percent understates the commitment and is not the figure that appears in India climate submissions. A target of 50 percent would be more ambitious than the widely quoted figure and is not the approximate value used in exam oriented material. Therefore, 40 percent is the only option that accurately reflects the country stated target.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the percentage for capacity with percentages related to emissions reduction or with renewable energy targets announced for different years, leading to mixed up numbers. Others may remember that the figure is relatively high but not recall whether it is 30, 40, or 50 percent. A helpful strategy is to remember the pair of numbers as a package: roughly one third emissions intensity reduction (33 to 35 percent) and about two fifths share of non fossil fuel capacity (40 percent) by 2030.
Final Answer:
India aims to achieve about 40 percent of its cumulative electric power installed capacity from non fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030.
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