Energy Transition Advisory Committee (Tarun Kapoor Committee) .

3 January 2021.

Introduction:

The Energy Transition Advisory Committee was formed by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It is headed by Tarun Kapoor, former Secretary of Petroleum Ministry. It will focus on increasing the share of clean energy sources such as hydrogen, biofuel, nuclear, geothermal, tidal in the energy mix of the country.

Why was the committee formed?

• To help India achieve its net zero emission target by 2070.
• To create an energy transition road map (within 6 months).
• To create a step – by – step plan for moving from fossil fuels to green energy.

Functions of the committee energies. It will create plans to improve their supply chains.

Biofuel

• The bio fuel plans will focus on creating sustainable biomass supply chain.
• Also, it will focus on increasing the biofuel infrastructure in the country.
•  India is currently planning to set up 5,000 biogas plants.
• These measures are being adopted because India is primarily looking for options to increase domestic production of fuels.
• And this can be achieved only by increasing biofuel production.

Green Hydrogen

• The committee will focus on increasing green hydrogen production in the country. This has been prioritised of all the other functions of the committee.
• Also, the committee will focus on creating a strong value chain for green hydrogen. The committee’s plan towards Green Hydrogen will help India’s National Hydrogen Mission (NHM) largely
• The mission was announced during 2021-22 Budget.
• The NHM aims to produce hydrogen from renewable sources.
• It had put green hydrogen at the centre of India’s climate change plans and energy security measures.

Other major Transition plans

• The committee will create transition plans for oil companies.
• It will help the transport sector to move towards clean energy.

How will the committee help India achieve net zero emission target?

• During the Leader’s Summit on Climate, India announced to achieve net zero emission target by 2070.
• In order to achieve this, the oil companies were directed to create plans focusing on improving their clean energy portfolio.
• The committee is to review these plans.
•  It will also suggest alternatives.
•  Also, the committee will provide suggestions in creating the plans.
• The committee will guide the oil companies in launching their transition plans. For instance, Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum recently announced to set up 22,000 charging stations jointly.