Energy Resources (Conventional & Non-Conventional)

Introduction

Energy resources are classified into two categories:

• Conventional (Paramparagat): Coal, Petroleum, Hydro-electricity, Nuclear Energy.
• Non-Conventional (Gair-Paramparagat): Solar, Wind, Biogas, Biomass.
• REDA: Rajasthan Energy Development Agency was established on 21 Jan 1985 to promote non-conventional energy. (Note: Merged into RREC in 2002).

Conventional Energy Sources

1. Thermal Power (Coal & Gas)

Rajasthan possesses Lignite (Brown Coal). Major mining areas are Palana, Barsingsar (Bikaner), Kapurdi (Barmer), and Merta (Nagaur).

2. Petroleum & Natural Gas

• Barmer-Sanchore Basin: Major oil fields discovered by Cairn Energy include Mangla, Bhagyam, and Aishwarya. Commercial production started in 2009.
• Jaisalmer Basin: Natural gas reserves found in Manihari Tibba, Tanot, and Ghotaru.

3. Hydro Power (Jal Vidyut)

• Chambal Valley Project: Joint venture of Rajasthan (50%) & MP (50%). Electricity generated from Gandhi Sagar (MP), Rana Pratap Sagar (Rawatbhata), and Jawahar Sagar (Kota) dams.
• Mahi Bajaj Sagar: Banswara. 100% electricity share to Rajasthan (140 MW).
• Bhakra Nangal & Vyas Projects: Interstate partnership (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan).

4. Nuclear Energy (Parmanu Urja)

• Rawatbhata (Chittorgarh): India's second nuclear power plant (after Tarapur). Established with Canadian assistance. It uses Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology.

Non-Conventional Energy Sources

1. Wind Energy (Pavan Urja)

Rajasthan has high potential due to wind velocity (20-40 kmph). Wind Energy Policy was announced in March 2000.

• Amarsagar (Jaisalmer): First wind power project.
• Devgarh (Pratapgarh): Another major wind power site.
• Phalodi (Jodhpur): Major wind energy installation.

2. Solar Energy (Saur Urja)

Western Rajasthan offers ideal conditions for solar power. Mathania (Jodhpur) hosts a Solar Thermal Power Plant. Photovoltaic technology is used for rural electrification and water pumping.

3. Bio-Energy

• Biogas: Based on cattle dung (Gobar Gas).
• Biomass: Electricity generated from agricultural waste (mustard husk, Julie flora). Plants located in Padampur (Ganganagar) and Kherli (Alwar).

Current Developments & Updates

1. Bhadla Solar Park (Jodhpur)

Currently the World's Largest Solar Park with a total capacity of 2245 MW. Spread over 14,000 acres, it has been developed in 4 phases.

2. HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Ltd (HRRL)

Located in Pachpadra (Barmer). It is a Joint Venture between HPCL (74%) and Government of Rajasthan (26%). It is the first refinery in India to produce BS-VI standard fuel directly. Capacity: 9 MMTPA.

3. PM-KUSUM Scheme

Bhaloji (Jaipur) was the first village in India to install a solar power plant under the PM-KUSUM scheme (Component A).