World Coal Association reacts to Teri report
Published by Angharad Lock,
Digital Assistant Editor
World Coal,
The World Coal Association says it is not credible to suggest that India can achieve universal energy access and develop its economy without coal in the next 10 years, regardless of the country’s investment in renewables. The comments are in response to a report by the Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) claiming that India will need no coal power plant after 2025.
WCA CEO, Benjamin Sporton said: “India’s energy needs are too huge for any suggestion that it will not need coal in the future. In a country where 244 million have no electricity and 819 no access to clean cooking facilities, it is impossible to find a solution without coal being part of the energy mix – coal is essential to global efforts to achieving universal energy access. ” The World Coal Association commented:
“For a country like India, it’s not a choice between coal and renewables as both are needed and both will play a big role. Renewables have an important role to play but coal will remain the driving force behind electrification and industrialisation and according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), coal will continue to make the largest contribution to electricity generation in India through to 2040.
There is economic and development argument for investments in new coal power plants in India for the foreseeable future. India has huge development and energy challenges, and the government has been clear that all sources of energy will be needed to power up the economy, including coal. Although the competitiveness of renewables and gas-fired technology is likely to improve over time, coal is expected to remain the most affordable option through to 2035.
This report is a suggestion for the longer-term and represents one of many options available to India. It does not mean that this is the ‘correct’ path. Given India is exploring emerging technology such as battery storage we would encourage them to also support CCS. In India there is an unsubsidised, fully commercial CCUS facility, which has been operating since 2015. This CCUS project from Carbon Clean Solutions in the port of Tuticorin has been able to significantly reduce the costs associated with capturing the CO2.
There is an assumption that we can get rid of coal, and only by doing so can we meet climate objectives. This is false. Coal plays a critical role in the world’s energy mix and is going to do so for a very long time to come, especially for a country like India where the need for stable, reliable and affordable energy has never been greater.
It is vital that implementation of the Paris Agreement integrates environmental imperatives with the aims of universal access to energy, energy security and socio-economic development. And rightly so, the Indian government is focussing on cleaner technologies, and is renovating, modernising and extending the life of existing power stations.”
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/13022017/world-coal-association-reacts-to-teri-report/
You might also like
Stanmore Resources to acquire remaining interest in Eagle Downs
Stanmore Resources has acquired Aquila’s interest in the Eagle Downs metallurgical coal project, as well as the Eagle Downs South metallurgical coal tenements and associated assets.