Energy experts hailed the temporary halt in the rise of the polluting fuel as a big step forward for a country that now relies on coal for about 75% of its electricity
According to an updated national electricity plan announced recently, the Indian government will not consider any bids for new coal plants for the next five years and will instead focus on increasing its renewable energy.
Energy experts lauded the temporary halt in the rise of the filthy fuel as a significant move for a country that now relies on coal for almost 75% of its electricity.
The plan, which is updated every five years, acts as a framework for India's priorities in the electrical industry.
India is the third-highest emitter and the world's most populous country. It intends to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, which would entail drastically reducing coal consumption and increasing renewable energy.
The Central Electricity Authority, which is in charge of forecasting India's electricity needs, projected approximately 8,000 megawatts of new coal capacity by 2027 in a draft plan released in September. However, the strategy announced on Wednesday calls for the construction of more than 8,600 megawatts of battery energy storage devices.
Battery storage is critical for the continuous usage of renewable energy.
“This plan is a step in the right direction,” said Raghav Pachouri, an energy sector expert at Vasudha Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank.
According to Pachouri, one reason the plans for additional coal plants may have been cancelled is that some coal plants are currently under construction.
Pachouri said the country is also witnessing longer summers and hotter weather as a result of climate change, which means more electricity consumption during the sweltering day, making it easier to meet energy needs with renewables.
“When you need energy during the day, solar power can provide for it,” he said.
India plans to install 500 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030, enough energy to power anywhere from 150 to 500 million homes depending on power use, but is not on course to meet that target, according to Aditya Lolla, an energy analyst at the think tank Ember.
“We’re installing only up to 17 gigawatts a year, this needs to increase to 40 to 45 gigawatts to meet targets,” said Lolla.
The revised plan also predicts that new coal power plants would be built after 2027, although Lolla cautions that this should be taken with a grain of salt.
“Traditionally, projections for the coming five years are more concrete and those for the subsequent years are essentially placeholders,” said Lolla. “India wants to move towards a cleaner power system. With every electricity plan, the coal pipeline is falling.”
Lolla forecasts that, given the current uncertain global energy landscape caused by Russia's war in Ukraine, climate change, and pandemic recovery, India will make a decision on its longer-term energy strategy at a later date, depending on how things go by 2027.