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India Faces Energy Conundrum as it Struggles to Meet Renewable Energy Goals
India, a country highly vulnerable to climate impacts, is facing a dilemma as it seeks to build more power capacity while transitioning away from fossil fuels. Despite participating in climate discussions at COP28 in Dubai last December, where an agreement to move away from fossil fuels was debated, India has announced plans to double coal production and add more thermal power plants fueled by coal.
The decision to invest in coal, one of the largest contributors to global warming, may seem counterintuitive for a country experiencing the effects of climate change. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is prioritizing the avoidance of power shortages as the country heads into elections. India has witnessed record heat waves and a surge in peak electricity demand in recent years.
While India aims to achieve 500 gigawatts of clean-energy capacity by 2030, it has fallen short in building enough renewable energy infrastructure. The installation rates of solar and wind power have been approximately one-third of what is required to meet the target. Factors such as misaligned incentives of state-owned electricity retailers, challenges in acquiring land, and inconsistent policies at federal and state levels have hindered the rollout of renewables. Private investors are hesitant to accelerate renewable investments despite increasing power demand.
However, even coal faces challenges in attracting new investments. Coal power plants require more time and higher costs to build compared to solar and wind power plants. Experts predict that India may not achieve its coal targets, with coal use peaking at 1.1 billion tons before 2040.
India’s energy infrastructure requires significant investment to support its economic growth as a lower middle-income country. Per capita electricity consumption in India is still far below that of developed countries and China. Additionally, India has not yet utilized its fair share of the global carbon budget.
To transition away from coal, India and other developing countries require more incentives and support. The Just Energy Transition Partnership, established by the Group of Seven nations, aims to assist countries like South Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia in reducing coal use. However, the effectiveness of these partnerships remains uncertain.
During the launch of a book titled “Modi Energising A Green Future,” India’s environment minister, Bhupendra Yadav, emphasized the need for better policies, technology transfer, and skills training to replace coal. The world must offer more than just financial aid to developing countries like India to help them transition to greener energy sources.
In conclusion, India faces challenges in meeting its renewable energy goals while simultaneously increasing coal production. The country requires support and effective solutions to replace coal and achieve sustainable energy transition.
The government’s decision to double coal production despite climate goals has raised concerns among environmentalists and climate advocates. This move contradicts the global efforts to transition towards cleaner forms of energy, as coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel. While the government argues that expanding coal production will boost economic growth and provide energy security, critics question the long-term environmental consequences and the commitment to combat climate change. This decision highlights the challenges faced in balancing economic interests with sustainable development and the urgent need for alternative energy sources.
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