India's reliance on coal for energy is a complex issue, deeply intertwined with its economic growth, energy security, and commitment to climate goals. While the nation strives to increase its renewable energy capacity, phasing out coal completely is not a feasible short-term solution. Instead, the focus is on making coal cleaner through technological advancements and strategic policy initiatives.

The Current Energy Landscape

Coal currently accounts for a significant portion of India's energy supply, approximately 59% as of FY23. It fuels critical industries like power generation, steel, cement, and aluminum production. In fact, coal-based power plants contribute 40% of India's fossil fuel emissions. Despite the increasing emphasis on renewable energy, coal is expected to maintain a substantial share in the energy mix, projected to contribute around 33% of the total primary energy supply by 2047. The demand for non-coking coal (thermal or steam coal) is expected to reach 1,128 million tonnes in FY25, a 3% increase from FY24.

Several factors contribute to India's continued dependence on coal:

• Economic Growth: India's rapidly expanding economy requires a stable and reliable energy supply.
• Energy Security: Domestic coal reserves provide a secure energy source, reducing reliance on expensive imported oil and gas.
• Base Load Demand: Coal-fired power plants offer continuous electricity generation, essential for meeting base load demand, unlike intermittent renewable sources.
• Affordability: Coal is a relatively inexpensive energy source, particularly important for a developing nation.

The Push for Cleaner Coal

Recognizing the environmental impact of coal, India is actively exploring and implementing clean coal technologies (CCTs). These technologies aim to reduce emissions and improve the efficiency of coal-based power generation. Some of the CCTs being deployed include:

• Coal Washing: Removing impurities from coal before combustion.
• Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Systems: Removing sulfur dioxide from emissions.
• Electrostatic Precipitators: Removing particulate matter from emissions.
• Low-NOx Burners: Reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.
• Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Systems: Converting coal into gas for more efficient power generation.
• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): Capturing carbon dioxide emissions and storing them underground or utilizing them in other industrial processes.

The government is providing incentives and formulating policies to support coal gasification projects, including a provision for a 50% rebate in revenue share for coal used for gasification. An ₹8500 crore incentive scheme has also been approved to provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to promote coal/lignite gasification projects.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the potential of CCTs, several challenges remain:

• Cost: Implementing CCTs can be expensive, potentially increasing electricity prices.
• Technological Maturity: Some CCTs, like CCUS, are still in the early stages of development and haven't been implemented on a large scale in India.
• Public Perception: "Clean coal" is sometimes viewed skeptically, as coal is inherently a polluting fuel.

However, there are also significant opportunities:

• Reducing Emissions: CCTs can significantly reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants, mitigating their environmental impact.
• Improving Efficiency: CCTs can improve the efficiency of coal-based power generation, reducing fuel consumption.
• Energy Security: CCTs can enable the continued use of domestic coal reserves in a more environmentally responsible manner.
• Job Creation: The development and implementation of CCTs can create new jobs in the energy sector.

The Path Forward

India's energy transition requires a balanced approach, combining the expansion of renewable energy with cleaner coal technologies. This includes:

• Maximizing the efficiency of existing coal plants by retiring old, inefficient units.
• Scaling up renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
• Reducing energy demand through energy efficiency measures and behavioral changes.
• Developing a coherent strategy for managing risks and avoiding stranded assets.
• Boosting innovation and commercialization of CCUS technologies.

By pursuing these strategies, India can continue to meet its growing energy needs while minimizing the environmental impact of coal. The nation has set a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 and is committed to increasing its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. While coal will remain a significant part of India's energy mix for the foreseeable future, embracing cleaner technologies and transitioning to a more sustainable energy system is essential for a greener future.