Classification and Production Trends of Energy Resources
Geography › Mineral and Energy Resources · Topic 12.7
Energy resources are classified as conventional, such as coal, oil, natural gas, firewood and large hydro, and non-conventional, such as solar, wind, tidal and biomass; as renewable or exhaustible; and as commercial or non-commercial. Fossil fuels still supply about four-fifths of the world's primary energy, with oil, coal and gas in that order, while solar and wind are the fastest-growing sources. China is the largest producer and user of energy. India relies on coal for most of its electricity and imports most of its oil, but it targets 500 gigawatts of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
7 min read · UPSC Prelims · Geography · Mineral and Energy Resources
At a Glance
- Classes Conventional and non-conventional
- World mix About four-fifths fossil fuels
- Fastest growing Solar and wind
- India’s target 500 GW non-fossil by 2030
- India’s gap Imports most of its oil
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Geography: Mineral and Energy Resources
Where Does It Fit?
This topic opens the energy half of the macro on mineral and energy resources. It sets the classification and the global trends, before the topics on coal, petroleum, hydro, atomic and renewable energy. Previous topic: Mineral Chemicals: Mica, Potash, Phosphate, Nitrates, Sulphur. Next topic: Coal: Nature, Origin, Constituents, Types, Coal Fields, Production, By-Products, Conservation.
How Are Energy Resources Classified?
In short: energy resources are grouped by how long they last, by how long they have been in use and by whether they are traded.
| Basis | Classes | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Time in use | Conventional (long used) | Coal, petroleum, natural gas, firewood, large hydro, nuclear power |
| Time in use | Non-conventional (newer) | Solar, wind, tidal, wave, geothermal, biomass, hydrogen |
| Renewability | Exhaustible (non-renewable) | Coal, oil, gas, uranium |
| Renewability | Renewable (replenished) | Solar, wind, water, biomass, geothermal, tidal |
| Trade | Commercial (bought and sold) | Coal, oil, gas, electricity |
| Trade | Non-commercial (local and free) | Firewood, dung cakes, crop residue |
| Stage | Primary (found in nature) | Coal, crude oil, sunlight, falling water |
| Stage | Secondary (made from primary) | Electricity, petrol, coke, biogas |
- Exhaustible: fossil fuels formed over millions of years and cannot be replaced on a human timescale. They also release carbon dioxide when burned, the largest human cause of climate change.
- Non-conventional sources and renewable: sources that are replenished by nature, though a dam site or wind farm still needs land and materials. They are the basis of the energy transition.
- Non-commercial: firewood, dung and crop waste still meet a large part of the cooking energy of poor rural households in India and Africa, and they cause indoor air pollution. The LPG scheme called Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, has aimed to replace them in India.
- Specific fuels: the details are in Coal: Nature, Origin, Constituents, Types, Coal Fields, Production, By-Products, Conservation for coal, Petroleum: Nature, Origin, Recovery, Exploration, Refining, Reserves, Producing Areas, Role of OPEC for oil and gas, Hydro-Electricity: Ideal Conditions, Distribution, Generation for hydro power, Atomic (Nuclear) Energy: Source Minerals (Uranium, Thorium), Production, Distribution, Future Potential for atomic energy and Renewable Energy: Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Tidal, Wave, Biomass, Hydrogen as a Fuel for renewable sources.
What Are the Production Trends in the World?
| Source | Trend and leading producers |
|---|---|
| Oil | Largest single source of primary energy, about a third of the total. The United States is the largest producer, followed by Saudi Arabia and Russia, with Canada, Iraq, China and the United Arab Emirates next |
| Coal | Roughly a quarter of primary energy and the main fuel for electricity. China produces about half of the world’s coal; India is second, followed by Indonesia, the United States, Australia and Russia |
| Natural gas | About a quarter of primary energy, and growing through liquefied natural gas. The United States is the largest producer, followed by Russia and Iran; Qatar, Australia and the United States lead in liquefied gas exports |
| Hydro power | The largest source of renewable electricity. China, Brazil, Canada, the United States and Russia lead |
| Nuclear power | A little under a tenth of world electricity. The United States, China and France have the largest output; France has a very high share in its own electricity |
| Solar and wind | Fastest growth in the last decade. China leads in capacity and in the making of panels and turbines, followed by the United States, India and Europe |
- Fossil share: oil, coal and gas still supply about 80 per cent of the world’s primary energy, a share that has fallen only slowly even as renewables grow. The exact figures change every year, so check the latest edition of the statistical reviews.
- Electricity first: renewables grow fastest in electricity, where solar and wind are now often the cheapest new source, but slowly in transport, shipping, aviation and heavy industry.
- Consumers: China is the largest energy consumer, followed by the United States and India. Per person, North America, the Gulf states and Russia use the most, while South Asia and Africa use the least.
- Demand drivers: population growth, rising incomes, air conditioning, electric vehicles and data centres are raising electricity demand, particularly in Asia.
- Climate link: the Paris Agreement of 2015 and later conferences of parties push countries to cut emissions, which shifts investment from coal towards solar, wind and storage.
- Shocks: wars and chokepoints such as the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman Between Iran (north) and Oman (south) Narrowest width About 33 km Oil…">Strait of Hormuz can raise prices, as in Important Straits of the World (Strait of Malacca, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Gibraltar, Bering Strait, Bosphorus).
What Is India’s Energy Position?
In short: India is the third largest energy consumer, with demand rising fast, and it depends on coal at home and on imports for oil and gas.
- Coal: it supplies most of the electricity and about half of commercial primary energy, with production passing one billion tonnes a year, as in Coal: Nature, Origin, Constituents, Types, Coal Fields, Production, By-Products, Conservation.
- Oil and gas: India imports around 85 to 90 per cent of its crude oil and roughly half its natural gas, so prices and shipping routes matter for the import bill and inflation; see Petroleum: Nature, Origin, Recovery, Exploration, Refining, Reserves, Producing Areas, Role of OPEC.
- Power capacity: installed power capacity is nearly 500 gigawatts, and about half of it is now non-fossil, a milestone reached ahead of the target. Solar has become the largest addition, and rooftop solar and farm solar schemes are expanding it. Check the latest from the Central Electricity Authority and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- Targets: at the Glasgow conference in 2021 India announced the five-part commitment called Panchamrit, including 500 gigawatts of non-fossil capacity by 2030, meeting half of energy needs from renewables, cutting emissions intensity of GDP by 45 per cent from 2005 levels and reaching net zero by 2070.
- Non-commercial energy: firewood and dung are still used in some rural households, though the share has fallen with LPG and electrification.
- Challenges: peak power demand in summer, grid integration of variable solar and wind, storage, and the need for a just transition for coal regions.
As an analytical point, the world is moving from a fuel-based to a technology-based energy system, in which the issue is not only how much is produced but where it is made, who controls the equipment and minerals, and how fast demand grows. India’s position is to expand supply from every source at the same time, while raising efficiency, and to keep the dependence on imported oil and critical minerals under watch; see gypsum, salt Energy Coal, petroleum, uranium Law MMDR Act, 1957 Key idea…">Types of Mineral Resources: Metallic and Non-Metallic for the critical minerals.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Classification Basis of many Prelims items
- Trends Fossil share and renewables growth
- India Targets and import dependence
What Came Next?
The next topic describes coal: its nature, origin, types, coalfields, production, by-products and conservation. Next topic: Coal: Nature, Origin, Constituents, Types, Coal Fields, Production, By-Products, Conservation.
Key People and Terms
- Primary energy Energy found in nature
- Secondary energy Energy converted from primary
- Conventional energy Long-used sources
- Energy mix Share of each source
- Non-fossil capacity Renewables, hydro and nuclear
- Panchamrit India’s five climate commitments
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Fossil fuels give about 80 per cent of the world’s primary energy.
- China produces about half of the world’s coal.
- India targets 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
- India imports about 85 to 90 per cent of its crude oil.
- Electricity is a secondary form of energy.
Do Not Confuse With
- Conventional and renewable Hydro is both conventional and renewable
- Commercial and non-commercial Traded fuels versus local biomass
- Primary and secondary energy Coal versus electricity from coal
Memory Hook
Old or new, burn or flow, bought or free: three splits sort every source; fossil still leads, solar leads the growth.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for classification, the changing energy mix and India’s dependence on imports. These points add depth.
- Mix Fossil dominance
- Transition Solar and wind
- Security Import dependence
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Classify the energy resources and discuss the trends in the world production of energy and the challenges for India’s energy security.”
How to Answer
- Classify Conventional, renewable, commercial.
- World Fossil share and producers.
- India Coal, imports, targets.
- Challenge Security and transition.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
How are energy resources classified?
Energy resources are classified as conventional, such as coal, oil, gas, firewood and large hydro, and non-conventional, such as solar, wind, tidal and biomass. They are also grouped as exhaustible or renewable, as commercial or non-commercial, and as primary, found in nature, or secondary, such as electricity.
What is the difference between commercial and non-commercial energy?
Commercial energy is bought and sold in markets, as with coal, oil, natural gas and electricity. Non-commercial energy is gathered locally and usually free, as with firewood, dung cakes and crop residues, which meet a part of rural cooking needs in India and Africa and cause indoor air pollution.
Which fuels supply most of the world's energy?
Fossil fuels, namely oil, coal and natural gas, still supply about four-fifths of the world's primary energy, with oil the largest single source. Solar and wind are growing fastest, especially in electricity generation, but the exact shares change each year, so the latest statistical reviews should be checked.
Which country is the largest producer and consumer of energy?
China is the largest producer and consumer of energy in the world, producing about half of the world's coal and leading in solar panels, wind turbines and hydro power capacity. The United States is the largest producer of oil and natural gas, and India is the third largest energy consumer.
What are India's energy targets for 2030?
India has committed to 500 gigawatts of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030, to meeting half of its energy needs from renewables, to cutting the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent from 2005 levels, and to net zero emissions by 2070. These Panchamrit commitments were announced at Glasgow in 2021.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Electricity is a primary form of energy.
Electricity is secondary, made from primary sources.
2 Firewood and dung cakes are examples of non-commercial energy.
They are gathered locally and not traded widely.
3 China produces about half of the world's coal.
India is the second largest producer.
4 India has committed to 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
It was announced at the Glasgow conference in 2021.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Mineral and Energy Resources. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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