CivilsKash
Coal Transition: India Balances Energy Security and Sustainability
Coal remains the bedrock of India's energy security, contributing 55% to the energy mix and 74% of electricity, providing crucial grid stability and generating over ₹70,000 crore annually through royalties and GST. Despite its economic importance, the sector faces severe challenges, including being the highest emitter of PM and SO₂ pollutants, leading to significant public health consequences. To navigate this, India is pursuing a dual strategy.
Recent Coal policy includes allowing private entities, accredited by the Quality Council of India (QCI), to act as Accredited Prospecting Agencies (APAs) under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 to boost exploration. Simultaneously, the focus is on a just transition: phasing out inefficient coal plants, enforcing pollution control technologies like Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD), and aggressively scaling up renewables to meet the 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 target. Coal power is being strategically leveraged as a flexible peaking power source to maintain grid stability alongside systems like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The future requires responsible coal management as a transition fuel while accelerating the shift to sustainable power.
Recent Coal policy includes allowing private entities, accredited by the Quality Council of India (QCI), to act as Accredited Prospecting Agencies (APAs) under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 to boost exploration. Simultaneously, the focus is on a just transition: phasing out inefficient coal plants, enforcing pollution control technologies like Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD), and aggressively scaling up renewables to meet the 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 target. Coal power is being strategically leveraged as a flexible peaking power source to maintain grid stability alongside systems like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The future requires responsible coal management as a transition fuel while accelerating the shift to sustainable power.