Why is it in the news?

• Energy and climate ministers from the G7, comprising major industrialized nations, have reached an agreement to phase out the use of coal power by
• The agreement specifically targets coal-fired power plants where emissions have not been captured, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal combustion.

More about the news

• A non-governmental organization had advocated for an earlier phaseout deadline, proposing 2030 for coal and 2035 for gas-fired power generation.
• The G7 collectively represents around 38 percent of the global economy and was responsible for approximately 21 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021.

Coal sector in India

• India possesses significant coal reserves and ranks among the top three coal producers globally.
• Major coal fields are concentrated in eastern states like Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, as well as in central states such as Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
• Coal production is primarily managed by Coal India Limited (CIL), a state-owned company and the world’s largest government-owned coal producer.
• Despite being a major coal producer, India experiences surging power demand, with requirements growing by approximately 8-9% in 2022.
• Industrial and commercial sectors are the primary consumers of energy in the country, driving the demand for coal-based power generation.
• India also imports coal to supplement domestic production due to transportation challenges and the necessity for specific coal types required by various industries.

Concerns in phasing Out of Coal Power Plants

• India heavily relies on fossil fuels, particularly coal, for 75% of its power supply, while only 22% comes from renewable sources.
• Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are dependent on natural factors like sunlight and wind availability, making them variable and necessitating significant investment in battery storage to ensure a steady power supply.
• Hydropower projects in the Himalayan region face criticism due to ecological damage and concerns over potential conflicts regarding water resources.
• Nuclear energy plans in India have not gained significant traction, with nuclear power plants contributing only about 3.15% to the total electricity generated in 2021-22.
• Transitioning to renewable energy requires substantial infrastructure development, which poses challenges in terms of speed and scale, particularly for a country as large and diverse as India.
• Integrating renewable energy into the existing power grid is complex, requiring flexibility to handle fluctuations in supply and ensuring grid stability.

Steps Taken by Government for Transition to Renewable Energy Sources

• India has set an ambitious target of reaching 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, which is approximately three times the current capacity of 180 GW.
• The National Solar Mission (NSM), launched in 2010, aims to promote solar energy adoption by setting ambitious targets for solar capacity installation, including both grid-connected and off-grid solar power projects.
• The Green Energy Corridors project focuses on enhancing transmission infrastructure to facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the national grid, addressing challenges related to power transmission from renewable energy sources.
• The Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) mandates power distribution companies and large electricity consumers to procure a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources, thereby stimulating demand for renewable energy.
• The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) initiative aims to promote solar energy adoption in the agricultural sector by facilitating the installation of solar pumps, solarization of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps, and establishing solar power plants on barren or fallow land.
• India has played a significant role in establishing the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a coalition of solar-resource-rich countries aimed at addressing their energy needs through the promotion of solar energy adoption and cooperation.

Conclusion

• The agreement reached by the G7 nations to phase out coal power by 2035 signifies a significant advancement towards the goals outlined at the COP28 United Nations climate summit, emphasizing the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels.
• Coal, known for its high level of pollution, is a major focus of this transition, with efforts aimed at accelerating the shift of investments from coal to cleaner technologies.
• This agreement is expected to have a particularly notable impact on Japan and the broader Asian coal economy, including major coal-consuming nations like China and India.