Despite its commitment to reducing carbon emissions, India continues to depend heavily on coal for energy production. Experts are advocating for decarbonization strategies rather than a complete phase-out, as the country faces rising electricity demands and significant challenges in transitioning to renewable sources.
India's Coal Dependency: A Balancing Act Towards Cleaner Energy
India's Coal Dependency: A Balancing Act Towards Cleaner Energy
As India navigates its energy landscape, the reliance on coal raises questions about the country's carbon emissions and the potential for cleaner coal technologies.
India's energy landscape is defined by a complicated relationship with coal. Despite strong international calls to phase out high-emission fossil fuels, India continues to rely on coal to secure its energy needs and drive development. Ashok Lavasa, a former high-ranking official in India's ministries of finance and environment, articulated the nation's conundrum at a recent environmental event: "You can't wish away coal," he said, questioning if it could still be a "benevolent king."
India's steadfast commitment to coal comes amid its status as the world's third-largest carbon emitter and an obligation to reduce emissions for a sustainable future, especially with a target of achieving net zero by 2070. The urgency of this decision reflects the fact that India’s electricity demand has exceeded earlier predictions, rising more than 9% between 2021 and 2025, and is expected to double by 2030. Coal-fired plants have historically supplied over 70% of the country’s electricity generation, making any drastic shift to renewables a monumental challenge.
The environmental toll from this heavy reliance on coal is significant; estimates indicate that coal-fired power contributes to over 40% of India's greenhouse gas emissions. While India has made strides in renewable energy, now accounting for 46% of its installed capacity, experts point out the intermittent nature of these sources as a limitation. Renewable energy supply fluctuates with environmental conditions, requiring constant supply mechanisms which thermal plants currently provide.
Indeed, the reliability of thermal power generation remains crucial for maintaining grid stability. With renewable energy's unpredictability, authorities stress the importance of a strong thermal component to prevent blackouts, as highlighted by the expert Anjan Kumar Sinha who references recent power disruptions in Spain due to demand-supply mismatches.
Recognizing the need to evolve, India is now turning its focus towards reducing emissions from existing coal-fired plants rather than phasing coal out completely. A recent report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) suggests that implementing cleaner technologies and practices could decrease greenhouse gas emissions from coal by approximately 30%, aligning with India’s commitment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to cut emissions intensity by 45% by 2030.
However, challenges loom over thermal plants—they must operate at a minimum capacity even during the daytime when renewables may be generating power. Experts emphasize improving the operational efficiency of these plants to lower emissions while also considering technological advancements to capture carbon emissions.
Innovative approaches, such as substituting coal with agricultural residues, have shown promise in reducing coal dependency, particularly in urban regions like Delhi. Yet, such initiatives have been slow to spread nationwide despite regulatory encouragement.
Ultimately, a transition to cleaner energy practices in India will necessitate systemic changes that come with significant costs. How to navigate these financial challenges remains an unresolved question, with many stakeholders left to ponder who will shoulder the burden of transitioning to a cleaner energy future.
