In the unfolding landscape of renewable energy, there is a noticeable conflict between traditional and environmentally friendly practices. The primary obstruction to global sustainability goals is coal, an extensively used but highly contaminating energy source. Despite efforts to adopt cleaner alternatives, coal continues to be a significant challenge for sustainable development worldwide.
The Role of Coal in the Energy Mix
As of 2022, oil, coal, and gas together accounted for over 80% of the world’s total energy supply, with solar and wind energies contributing a meagre 2.4%. The high carbon footprint of coal has not deterred its use; it still fuels over a third of global electricity needs.
In India’s context, renewables make up only 10.4% of primary energy consumption, with coal and oil gas leading at 55.1% and 33.3% respectively. Coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs) account for 74.3% of India’s electricity generation in FY 2022-2023, with this figure still on the rise.
Coal’s Impact on India’s Energy Sector
Coal from domestic mines fuels 96% of TPPs in India, making electricity affordable. According to India’s National Electricity Plan, TPP capacity is projected to reach 259-262 GW by FY32 from 212 GW in FY23. With per capita energy supply standing at 37% of the global average, India’s rising energy demand aligns with the Human Development Index.
To achieve India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070 without compromising energy supply, clean coal technologies must be implemented consistently to reduce power sector emissions. Efficient operation of TPPs is critical for continued, affordable energy supply during peak and off-peak periods.
Environmental and Social Impacts of Coal
Indian coal, high in fly ash content, results in erosion and failure of boiler tubes when burned, affecting plant availability, efficiency, and performance, thereby increasing emissions. Furthermore, transportation of unwashed raw coal over long distances leads to carbon emissions and environmental pollution.
Despite its lower sulfur content compared to Chinese coal, Indian coal’s sulfur dioxide emissions disperse widely due to tall stacks and favourable weather conditions, contributing to climate change. Retrofitting existing power plants with Flue Gas Desulphurisers (FGDs) can remove sulfur dioxide from exhaust gases but may result in increased coal consumption, lower energy efficiency, and higher emission intensity.
Role of Coal in Industry and Employment
The coal sector is deeply intertwined with key industries like power, steel, cement, and aluminium, providing employment to millions. A transition to cleaner energy may cause an imbalance in job preservation and economic stability. Additionally, coal plays a significant role in ensuring electricity access and affordability, a factor to be considered while transitioning to renewables.
Strategies to Minimize Coal’s Impact on Sustainable Development
Several strategies can help reduce the environmental impact of coal. Enhancing TPPs efficiency through research and development, implementing clean coal technologies, diversifying energy sources and global cooperation for critical minerals are some of these measures.
Further strategies include promoting the use of nuclear energy as a low-carbon alternative to coal, enhancing pumped storage projects for efficient integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid, enforcing regulations for the use of washed coal in TPPs, and encouraging the adoption of low-carbon technologies.
Also, there needs to be a focus on maintaining a balance between transitioning to renewables while ensuring affordable and reliable energy access. For that, implementing a ‘graded priority’ approach for power plant pollutants, prioritising the reduction of particulate matter and deploying cost-effective electrostatic precipitators could play a crucial role.
The article concludes by reiterating the importance of low-carbon development and the need for research to explore and develop carbon capture technologies for existing TPPs. The necessity for affordable and reliable energy access while transitioning to renewables is also emphasized.