The government is preparing a policy that will incentivise the energy sector to embrace advanced carbon capture technologies to produce thermal power sustainably, making a significant impact on India's emissions.
India is gearing up to launch a ground-breaking carbon capture policy, balancing its reliance on vast coal reserves with a commitment to address escalating emissions. The policy, slated for release later this year pending electoral outcomes, promises incentives for companies to trap, recycle, and, if possible, store emissions underground.
Thermal power plants contribute 42 percent of India's total emissions. A significant 70 percent of this can be captured, recycled, or even buried underground with the adoption of the right technologies.
In a bid to meet soaring energy demands and prevent blackouts, the government is emphasising the necessity of combining renewable energy deployment with thermal capacity. The objective is to use India's abundant coal sustainably.
While global efforts towards carbon removal are crucial, the pace of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) unit deployment remains insufficient. Currently, 40 units are online globally, with projections indicating an additional 50 by 2030—a pace deemed too sluggish to achieve mid-century carbon neutrality, according to the International Energy Agency.
In tandem with carbon capture, India is delving into coal gasification, earmarking a substantial Rs 85 billion in subsidies to kickstart projects. This early-stage technology, converting coal into gas for electricity generation, boasts marginally lower emissions compared to conventional coal firing.
India's innovative approach underscores a commitment to sustainable coal usage while addressing the urgent need for emissions reduction, positioning the nation at the forefront of global climate action.