National Electricity Policy draft does not allow for construction of coal based power plants

5 May 2023 , 08:32 AM

 National Electricity Policy (NEP) draft does not allow for construction of new coal-based power plants, according to media reports.

The decision would make China the only major economy accepting new proposals to install substantial amounts of additional coal-fired capacity if it were to be accepted by the cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As most developing nations reduce their capacity to meet climate targets, India and China account for about 80% of all coal projects currently under construction. According to E3G, an independent climate think tank, only 20 countries will have more than one coal project planned by the beginning of 2023.

According to the reports, if adopted, the new regulation would not have an influence on the 28.2 GW of coal-based electricity that are now under development.

Together, China and India have pushed for the option for nations to select their own roadmap for reducing emissions.

India has repeatedly declined to establish a schedule for the phase-out of coal, citing low per-capita emissions, soaring renewable energy capacity, and the necessity for cheap fuel sources. India’s proposed coal power capacity is the biggest after China’s.

Activists have pushed for a ban on new coal-fired plants, believing that doing so would at least assist to lower the share of the polluting fuel in total power generation. Coal is anticipated to continue to be the primary fuel for producing electricity in India for decades.

According to reports, the draft, India’s first attempt to update its 2005 electricity policy, also suggests delaying the closure of existing coal-fired plants until energy storage for renewable power becomes commercially viable.

In order to accommodate the strong demand for electricity, old coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 13 GW have so far been designated for operation after the retirement deadline, they claimed.

For feedback and suggestions, write to us at [e-mail]