The recent webinar by the research and advocacy organisation, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), brought to light important measures that can help reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint of India’s coal-based power sector. The New Delhi based organisation emphasises on sustainable and equitable development through research, advocacy and communication.
Power Generation in India
India’s primary source of power generation from thermal power plants consists of three types: coal, gas, and liquid-fuel. These plants account for 62.2% of total power generation in the country.
Emissions from Coal-based Power Sector
However, India’s coal-based thermal power sector is one of the largest CO2 emitters in the country. It releases approximately 1.1 giga-tonne of CO2 annually. This accounts for 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, one-third of India’s emissions, and nearly 50% of fuel-related CO2 emissions within the nation.
Policies to Reduce Emissions
Improving technology and efficiency, as well as renovation and modernisation, are vital. With around 64% of the coal-based thermal plants (132 GW) less than a decade old, the government’s policies towards renovation and modernisation play a crucial role in enhancing fleet efficiency.
Dealing with Old Capacity
As of 2015, over 34 GW capacity in India was more than 25 years old, and 60% of it was highly inefficient. Increasing renewable electricity generation could further accelerate the retirement of these old and inefficient plants.
Biomass Co-firing as a Solution
Biomass co-firing involves adding biomass as a partial substitute fuel in high-efficiency coal boilers. This requires the existing coal power plant to be partly reconstructed and retrofitted but it is an efficient, clean way to convert biomass to electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Investing in Carbon Capture and Storage
Globally, carbon capture and storage has struggled to gain momentum and India’s prospects seem dim until at least 2030. However, investing in indigenous research could help lower the costs of this technology.
Coal Beneficiation
This process improves the quality of raw coal by reducing the extraneous matter extracted along with the mined coal or by decreasing the associated ash.
Other Initiatives to Reduce Emissions
India transitioned from Bharat Stage-IV to Bharat Stage-VI emission norms in April 2020, significantly earlier than the planned 2024 date. The country has also distributed more than 360 million LED bulbs under the UJALA scheme, leading to an approximate annual energy saving of 47 billion units of electricity and reduction of 38 million tonnes of CO2.
International Solar Alliance and NAPCC
The Indian initiative of International Solar Alliance aims to address the energy needs of solar-resource-rich countries. In addition, the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in 2008, focuses on creating climate change awareness and outlining countermeasure steps.
Way Forward
Increasing renewable capacity alone cannot suffice. Ambitious plans are required to reduce greenhouse emissions in the coal sector to effectively combat climate change. Energy transformation is essential to realise the co-benefits of local and global emissions reduction. However, the right to energy for everyone is equally crucial, as energy poverty and inequity aren’t acceptable. A diversified energy mix centred around solar, wind and potentially game-changing hydrogen should be India’s focus.
