O-LevelGeographyEconomic development2217/22 · Oct/Nov 2025 · Q68 Marks

What is meant by a 'non-renewable resource'?

(a)What is meant by a 'non-renewable resource'?[1]
(b)Figs. 6.1 and 6.2 (Insert) are two examples of renewable sources of energy. Identify the type of energy production shown in each. Fig. 6.1: Fig. 6.2:[2]
(c)(i)Study Table 6.1 which shows the top 10 countries which produced solar energy in 2020. Table 6.1 (Table with data: China 254355 MW, USA 75572 MW, Japan 67000 MW, Germany 53783 MW, India 39211 MW, Italy 21600 MW, Australia 17627 MW, Vietnam 16504 MW, South Korea 14575 MW, Spain 14089 MW) Suggest a type of graph you could use to show this data.[1]
(c)(ii)Solar power is not suitable for all countries. Suggest why some people are in favour of developing solar power and other people are against it. in favour against[4]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] 6(a) a resource which will run out/is fixed in quantity/limited/finite/it cannot be produced again/cannot be replaced/replenished/used again
[2] 6(b) Fig. 6.1: hydro-electric power/HEP/tidal Fig. 6.2: geothermal energy
[1] 6(c)(i) bar/pie/doughnut (chart/graph)/pictogram
[4] 6(c)(ii) Credit points in favour and against in the correct sections only. In favour - (reserve 1 mark) • clean form of energy/doesn't produce greenhouse gases/no CO2 produced/doesn't contribute to air pollution/global warming/less air pollution than burning fossil fuels • cheaper start-up costs than HEP/geothermal/power stations run on fossil fuels • creates very little noise • can be easily linked to the existing electricity grid • all countries get sun • suitable for battery storage • provides jobs • low maintenance cost/no extra payments once installed • easy to operate/maintain (no moving parts) • reliable energy production once installed (solar panels can last for over thirty years)/long lasting • reliable in hotter countries OR high amount of sunlight during the day • safe (to implement) • reduces dependency on imported fuels/energy/increases energy security Against – (reserve 1 mark) • cost of installation/setting up is expensive/high initial investment/solar panels/batteries are expensive • LEDCs cannot afford it • sunlight not constant/not enough/unreliable OR limited/less where frequent cloud cover/on cloudy days • does not produce at night/only available during the day • many countries/LEDCs do not have the transmission infrastructure • limited power produced / not as efficient as fossil fuels/non-renewable energy sources/technology/solar panels have limited efficiency/15%-25% efficient (solar panels are not efficient = 1) • large land requirement/reduces land for other uses • visually intrusive