Can renewable energy help close power gap in India’s hot summer?
2 years, 7 months ago

Can renewable energy help close power gap in India’s hot summer?

Al Jazeera  

New Delhi, India — As temperatures soar beyond 40 degrees Celsius in Hasanganj village in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the nearly 14-hour power cuts in the area mean that the bananas that Ramesh, a fruit vendor who goes by one name, sells are rotting faster than normal with no fans to keep them cool. ‘Fundamental problems’ India gets around 74.4 percent of its electricity from coal-fuelled power plants. Another common problem is the fact that cash-strapped state-run power companies often don’t place coal orders in advance, leading to complaints of shortages when demand soars. For now, it’s the privately run power companies – the ones that have been allowed to pass on the hike in tariffs to consumers – that are smiling their way to the bank, even after accounting for the increase in their costs of importing the coal. Tata Power, for instance, will run at full capacity its 4,000MW ultra-mega power plant in Mundra in Gujarat – a plant that relies fully on imported coal.

India Electricity Renewable Energy Plants Power Companies Hot Coal Buckley Ganesan Imported Coal  shot  gap  companies  coal  electricity  summer  india  hot  plants  power  renewable  energy  indias  close  especially  help

History of this topic

India's climate policies expected to reduce CO2 emissions by around 4 billion tonnes by 2030: Report
1 month, 2 weeks ago

India's climate policies expected to reduce CO2 emissions by around 4 billion tonnes by 2030: Report

The Hindu  

India's current climate policies are projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around four billion tonnes between 2020 and 2030, and drive a 24% reduction in coal-based power generation, according to a new report. The study by Delhi-based independent think tank Council on Energy, Environment and Water said policies for India's power, residential and transport sectors have already saved 440 …

India’s renewable energy target may prove elusive without course correction
3 months, 1 week ago

India’s renewable energy target may prove elusive without course correction

Live Mint  

India’s energy transition will be centred around the use of solar photovoltaic technology for at least the next 25 years. Though this information is not yet available in the public domain, it is estimated that Solar Energy Corporation Of India and other RE implementing agencies have about 18GW of ‘unsold inventory.’ Discoms in India face three major difficulties: huge uncertainty …

India has pushed hard for solar. But as its billions demand more power, coal always gets the call
4 months, 2 weeks ago

India has pushed hard for solar. But as its billions demand more power, coal always gets the call

Associated Press  

BENGALURU, India — India Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the midst of a monthslong reelection campaign this April when he took to social media to trumpet a “remarkable feat!” and a “historic milestone” for his country: crossing 1 billion metric tons of coal and lignite production. It was proof, Modi said, of India’s “commitment to ensuring a vibrant coal …

Coal to have significant place in India’s diversified energy basket: Eco Survey
5 months ago

Coal to have significant place in India’s diversified energy basket: Eco Survey

Hindustan Times  

India will target a diversified set of sources for energy security with a significant place for thermal power, including coal to provide base load, to minimise risks associated with systems while pursuing low-emission pathways in line with national commitments, said the 2023-24 Economic Survey Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled in Parliament on Monday. “This will also include a significant …

India's solar output grows at slowest pace in six years in first half of 2024
5 months, 2 weeks ago

India's solar output grows at slowest pace in six years in first half of 2024

Hindustan Times  

By Sudarshan Varadhan and Cassandra Yap India's solar output grows at slowest pace in six years in first half of 2024 SINGORE, - India's solar power generation grew at the slowest pace in six years in the first half of 2024, an analysis of data from the federal grid regulator showed, as the country further stepped up reliance on coal …

India's coal dependence for power to be highest in nine years as heatwaves intensify
6 months ago

India's coal dependence for power to be highest in nine years as heatwaves intensify

Hindustan Times  

India will use more coal for generating electricity this year than it has in almost a decade, to cope with surging electricity demand, Bloomberg reported. Representational The country expects to add 15.4 gigawatts in the financial year 2024-25, the most in nine years, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Coal still generates about three-quarters of India’s electricity, and the …

Green milestone: Share of coal in India’s total installed electricity capacity drops below 50%
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Green milestone: Share of coal in India’s total installed electricity capacity drops below 50%

Hindustan Times  

The share of coal in India’s total installed electricity capacity fell below 50% for the first time in history in 2023-24, according to a report released on Thursday, marking a crucial milestone in the country’s attempt to switch to clean energy. The report also found that renewable energy auctions reached a record 41 GW in fiscal year 2024, with eight …

Climate litigation gets shot in the arm, climate justice is not far behind in India
8 months, 1 week ago

Climate litigation gets shot in the arm, climate justice is not far behind in India

Hindustan Times  

The seeds of climate justice that were sown a few years ago in several milestone judgments by the apex court, have now perhaps given rise to its first significant shoot in the form of the judgment delivered earlier this week in the now famous Great Indian Bustard case. While the apex court has to be lauded for fortifying and expanding …

Coal stocks at comfortable level to meet peak summer demand, says official
9 months ago

Coal stocks at comfortable level to meet peak summer demand, says official

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: The country’s coal stocks are at comfortable levels to meet the demand during the peak summer season, said a senior official from the coal ministry. Additionally, the National Power Portal reports that coal stocks at power plants with capacities exceeding 189 GW stood at 45.48 MT as of March 16. “Even though power demand is likely to increase, …

India’s clean energy boom slows as new solar projects get delayed. Experts say it can pick back up
10 months, 2 weeks ago

India’s clean energy boom slows as new solar projects get delayed. Experts say it can pick back up

Associated Press  

BENGALURU, India — For years, renewable projects in India have been growing steadily, from small-town rooftop solar installations to large-scale projects across the desert and long stretches of wind turbines and solar panels on farmland all contributing to the country’s climate goal of transitioning to clean energy. It takes up to two years for solar projects to come online after …

Fired up and plugged in – Driving India’s energy security and decarbonisation this decade
11 months ago

Fired up and plugged in – Driving India’s energy security and decarbonisation this decade

The Hindu  

As India throttles to become the fastest-growing economy in the coming years, it will have to grow in the wake of a global agreement at COP-28 to phase down unabated coal. But to keep the economy powered while decarbonising, the country will have to use its existing assets better to cater to growing demand, while simultaneously limiting exposure to new …

DC Edit | India can still be part of climate deal
1 year ago

DC Edit | India can still be part of climate deal

Deccan Chronicle  

It is surprising that India was not among the 118 nations that signed the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge at the climate summit in Dubai to triple the installed renewable energy capacity by the turn of the decade. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed out in his address to the summit during his flying visit, India may be the …

Coal isn’t easy to exclude from sustainable development | Explained
1 year, 1 month ago

Coal isn’t easy to exclude from sustainable development | Explained

The Hindu  

The world is highly dependent on fossil fuels, which produce 80% of the total energy supplied. According to Central Electricity Authority projections for FY 2031-2032, India’s national grid can absorb 924 TWh of electricity from various renewable energy sources by progressively adding 47 GW of battery storage capacity and 27 GW of pumped storage projects by FY 32. To balance …

India's Electricity Demand For ACs Set To Increase Nine-Fold By 2050: IEA
1 year, 1 month ago

India's Electricity Demand For ACs Set To Increase Nine-Fold By 2050: IEA

ABP News  

India's demand for electricity for running household air conditioners is estimated to expand nine-fold by 2050 and will exceed total power consumption in the whole of Africa today, the International Energy Agency said on Tuesday. IEA said by 2050, "India's total electricity demand from residential air conditioners in the STEPS exceeds total electricity consumption in the whole of Africa today. …

India boosts coal use to stop power outages as hydroelectricity output falls
1 year, 3 months ago

India boosts coal use to stop power outages as hydroelectricity output falls

Live Mint  

With an aim to stop outages caused by lower hydroelectricity output, India has stepped up the use of coal to generate electricity as an increase in renewables is struggling to keep pace with record power demand, according to Reuters reports. Hence, the driest August has resulted in power generation surging to a record 162.7 billion kilowatt hours, a Reuters analysis …

Business Matters | Why is the rising cost of coal-fired power plants good news for India?
1 year, 7 months ago

Business Matters | Why is the rising cost of coal-fired power plants good news for India?

The Hindu  

Why is the rising cost of coal-fired power plants good news for India? It said that achieving net zero – which India aims to reach by 2070 – will require adjustments to how people live, work, and move around—and some of these changes will be costly. First, India expects to increase investments in coal-fired power plants to help power economic …

As summer looms, India orders coal power plants to max out
1 year, 8 months ago

As summer looms, India orders coal power plants to max out

The Hindu  

For the second year in a row, India’s government has ordered the nation’s coal-fired power plants to run at full power. India “has to ensure there is energy security as this is critical for the country’s development and growth,” said Alok Kumar, the most senior official in India’s federal power ministry. “There is a strong political incentive to ensure regular …

As summer looms, India orders coal power plants to max out
1 year, 8 months ago

As summer looms, India orders coal power plants to max out

Associated Press  

BENGALURU, India — For the second year in a row, India’s government has ordered the nation’s coal-fired power plants to run at full power. India “has to ensure there is energy security as this is critical for the country’s development and growth,” said Alok Kumar, the most senior official in India’s federal power ministry. “There is a strong political incentive …

Cost of India quitting coal is $900 billion, think tank says
1 year, 9 months ago

Cost of India quitting coal is $900 billion, think tank says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But for a price tag …

India misses RE capacity target due to low solar rooftop, wind energy project installations: Parliamentary panel
1 year, 9 months ago

India misses RE capacity target due to low solar rooftop, wind energy project installations: Parliamentary panel

The Hindu  

A parliamentary panel has attributed low installation of solar roof-top and wind energy projects as key reasons for the shortfall in achieving India’s renewable energy capacity target of 175 GW by 2022. However, it should also be mentioned that whatever shortfall has occurred in achievement of the target that is because of low installation of solar roof-tops and wind energy …

India wants energy transition on its own terms — without phasing out coal and with more grants
1 year, 9 months ago

India wants energy transition on its own terms — without phasing out coal and with more grants

The Hindu  

India is unlikely to sign a deal with richer nations this year for a just energy transition, as international funding rests on India committing to a timeline to phase out coal, an "unviable" proposition for the country, energy analysts said. "The JETP as it currently stands may not be the best model or framework for India given that the country …

Science-Wise: Reducing Emissions Through Coal Not Oil, Gas Phase-Out Plays Down Onus on Rich Nations
1 year, 10 months ago

Science-Wise: Reducing Emissions Through Coal Not Oil, Gas Phase-Out Plays Down Onus on Rich Nations

News 18  

Phase-out of coal-fired power is important, not just for climate, but for the health of millions of people who suffer from its far-reaching consequences. According to the research published in the peer-reviewed science journal Nature Climate Change, the IPCC 1.5℃ pathways have played down the responsibility of rich nations in reducing CO2 emissions, by laying more emphasis on coal, than …

Solar energy is not the best option for India
1 year, 10 months ago

Solar energy is not the best option for India

The Hindu  

The Hindu’s editorial, Energy conundrum, expressing caution about the country’s bubbling enthusiasm in the climate change agenda by going the whole hog on solar energy is timely but spartan, and needs amplification. Apart from the external pressure that is pushing India more and more into the so-called carbon limiting renewable energy path, the Prime Minister’s own enthusiasm and support and …

Australia adding green energy at less than half the required rate to keep grid stable: UNSW
1 year, 10 months ago

Australia adding green energy at less than half the required rate to keep grid stable: UNSW

ABC  

Australia is adding renewable energy at less than half the pace required to replace retiring coal-fired generation and meet its own 2030 climate targets, one of the country's top energy experts says. Key points: University of NSW research shows the growth rate of green energy needs to more than double A senior researcher says grid stability is at stake as …

Clean energy gains a foothold in India, but coal still rules
1 year, 11 months ago

Clean energy gains a foothold in India, but coal still rules

Associated Press  

BENGALURU, India — For six years, Pravinbhai Parmar’s farm in Gujarat state in western India has been lined with rice, wheat and solar panels. But livelihoods powered by clean energy are major outliers in the country that’s the third-largest emitter of planet-warming gases in the world, and last year announced its biggest-ever auction for coal mines. Coal’s share in producing …

India asks utilities to import 6% of their coal for nine months
1 year, 11 months ago

India asks utilities to import 6% of their coal for nine months

Live Mint  

India's power ministry has asked utilities to import 6% of their coal requirement until September, according to a letter seen by Reuters, warning that domestic supplies could be curtailed if import targets are not met. Estimated domestic coal supply of 392 million tonnes during the six months to the end of September is expected to fall short of demand by …

India’s energy future is looking green, report says
2 years, 2 months ago

India’s energy future is looking green, report says

Associated Press  

BENGALURU, India — India’s renewables sector is booming, with the country projected to add 35 to 40 gigawatts of renewable energy annually until 2030, enough to power up to 30 million more homes each year, a report said Thursday. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis and Climate Energy Finance estimated that India, the third largest energy-consuming country in …

India meets two-thirds of renewable energy target, says report
2 years, 3 months ago

India meets two-thirds of renewable energy target, says report

The Hindu  

‘22% rise in solar installations in Jan-Aug 2022’ India has so far installed 66% of its targeted renewable energy installation of 175 GW with only Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Telangana meeting State-wise targets, according to a report on Thursday by global energy thinktank Ember. While India may not reach 175 GW by the end of 2022, its 2030 targets of …

Decarbonising Odisha’s Largest Coalfield Reserve In Angul Is A Herculean Task
2 years, 3 months ago

Decarbonising Odisha’s Largest Coalfield Reserve In Angul Is A Herculean Task

The Quint  

A New Delhi-based think tank– iForest recently conducted a survey on the just transition challenge in Angul. ‘Just Transition’ refers to energy transition in any area from fossil fuel-based energy like coal to clean energy, by ensuring justice to the communities involved in livelihoods that produce polluting sources of energy. The study that followed the survey stated that the coal …

India to miss renewable energy goal, officials, experts say
2 years, 4 months ago

India to miss renewable energy goal, officials, experts say

Associated Press  

BENGALURU, India — India will miss its renewable energy target for the end of the year, with experts saying “multiple challenges” including a lack of financial help and taxes on imported components are stalling the clean energy industry. The target, set in January 2018, would have increased India’s renewable energy capacity to 43% of its current energy mix. The shortfall …

India’s Energy-Environment Catch-22
2 years, 5 months ago

India’s Energy-Environment Catch-22

The Diplomat  

Rani, a domestic worker in New Delhi, travels 10-15 kilometers every day from her cramped urban slum in Goyla Dairy, Najafgarh, to high rise buildings in Dwarka. While India plans to reach carbon neutral status by 2070, extreme weather events like the recent heatwaves keep pushing India’s energy sector to depend on traditional coal in the absence of enough renewable …

Universal access to energy is vital
2 years, 5 months ago

Universal access to energy is vital

Hindustan Times  

The centrepiece of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pitch to the world’s richest nations at the G-7 summit in Germany was equity in energy access. Mr Modi said that access to energy shouldn’t be the privilege of only the rich at a time when geopolitical tensions are propelling energy costs and pointed out that while providing energy access to its citizens, …

India's power demand touches new high after jumping by 45,000 megawatt in a year
2 years, 6 months ago

India's power demand touches new high after jumping by 45,000 megawatt in a year

India TV News  

Highlights India's electricity demand on June 9 was recorded at an all-time high of 2,10,792 megawatts RK Singh said 1000s of villages that hadn't seen electricity in 70 yrs were provided connectivity The current coal shortage in India is a result of domestic production not keeping pace with demand Power demand of India : India's power demand in the year …

Record renewable energy output helps India ease coal shortage in May
2 years, 6 months ago

Record renewable energy output helps India ease coal shortage in May

Live Mint  

Record green energy output reduced Indian dependence on coal in May, despite 23.5% growth in power demand, contributing to a rise in utilities' coal inventories, a Reuters analysis of government data showed. Surging supply from renewables will go some way towards mitigating India's coal shortage amid extraordinarily rapid growth in demand, which has forced the country to reopen mines and …

Record renewables output helps India ease coal shortage in May
2 years, 6 months ago

Record renewables output helps India ease coal shortage in May

The Hindu  

Record green energy output reduced Indian dependence on coal in May, despite a 23.5% growth in power demand, contributing to a rise in utilities' coal inventories, a Reuters analysis of government data showed. Surging supply from renewables will go some way towards mitigating India's coal shortage amid extraordinarily rapid growth in demand, which has forced the country to reopen mines …

India heading towards another power crisis in July-August: Report
2 years, 6 months ago

India heading towards another power crisis in July-August: Report

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: A lower pre-monsoon coal stock at thermal power plants in India is suggestive of another power crisis in July-August, independent research organisation CREA has said. "The data compiled from official sources suggest that the coal power plants are in no position to address even a minor spike in the power demand and there is a need to plan …

India heading towards another power crisis in July-August: Report
2 years, 6 months ago

India heading towards another power crisis in July-August: Report

India TV News  

A lower pre-monsoon coal stock at thermal power plants in India is suggestive of another power crisis in July-August, independent research organisation CREA has said. "The data compiled from official sources suggest that the coal power plants are in no position to address even a minor spike in the power demand and there is a need to plan for coal …

A squeeze on climate goals
2 years, 6 months ago

A squeeze on climate goals

Hindustan Times  

At the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow in November 2021, member countries reaffirmed the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5 °C. This, says an International Energy Agency report, could impact the profitability of the renewable energy industry and …

Why is India facing its worst power crisis in over six years?
2 years, 7 months ago

Why is India facing its worst power crisis in over six years?

Live Mint  

India is facing its worst power crisis in over six years as a heatwave bakes vast swathes of South Asia, causing widespread power outages. Many power plants ran out of fuel as a result of increasing output aggressively, with average coal stocks held by utilities at the lowest for this time of the year in at least 9 years. Despite …

‘Fossil fuels are a dead end’: UN chief emphasises renewable energy projects
2 years, 7 months ago

‘Fossil fuels are a dead end’: UN chief emphasises renewable energy projects

Hindustan Times  

NEW DELHI: Guterres’s statement came even as the World Meteorological Organisation – the UN agency which covers weather, climate and water resources – launched its State of the Climate report. United Nations general secretary Antonio Guterres, noting the global energy crises which prompted large economies to open new oil and gas fields, has proposed five critical actions to jump-start the …

Power Crisis in India: List of states facing power cuts
2 years, 7 months ago

Power Crisis in India: List of states facing power cuts

India Today  

There are a number of states which are suffering from regular power cuts and continuous power shortages. The Central Government has various schemes that are included, like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, the Integrated Power Development Scheme, and Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme simultaneously running for achieving uninterrupted power supply for all the consumers. LIST OF STATES FACING POWER CRISIS …

Heat wave sparks blackouts, questions on India’s coal usage
2 years, 7 months ago

Heat wave sparks blackouts, questions on India’s coal usage

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — An unusually early and brutal heat wave is scorching parts of India, with acute power shortages affecting millions as demand for electricity surges to record levels. Government rules mandate that power plants maintain 24 days’ worth of coal stocks, but many routinely don’t, said Vibhuti Garg, an energy economist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial …

Heat wave sparks blackouts, questions on India's coal usage
2 years, 7 months ago

Heat wave sparks blackouts, questions on India's coal usage

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An unusually early and brutal …

Heatwave hits India and Pakistan as power stations struggle to secure coal supply
2 years, 7 months ago

Heatwave hits India and Pakistan as power stations struggle to secure coal supply

ABC  

Power outages are compounding the misery of millions of people wilting in a heatwave across India and Pakistan on Friday, with experts blaming climate change for an early onset of scorching summer temperatures. Key points: Fires have broken out in forests and a landfill site as South Asia experiences an early onset of high summer temperatures Unusually hot weather in …

Coal shortage, heatwave: States face worst power crisis in 6 years
2 years, 7 months ago

Coal shortage, heatwave: States face worst power crisis in 6 years

Hindustan Times  

Several Indian states are in the midst of their worst power crisis in six years with soaring electricity demand coming up short against issues with coal supplies and plants shuts for maintenance. A senior Rajasthan government official said that coal shortages have reduced Power Load Factor, which is the generation capacity of a power plant, to 30-50% of coal fired …

India heatwave 2022: India facing power shortage during Delhi’s hottest April in a decade
2 years, 7 months ago

India heatwave 2022: India facing power shortage during Delhi’s hottest April in a decade

The Independent  

A man breaks a block of ice to distribute it among the residents of a slum during hot weather in Ahmedabad Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from …

Explained: Power Cuts Up To 8 Hours Amid Heatwave: Will It Get Worse Next Month?
2 years, 7 months ago

Explained: Power Cuts Up To 8 Hours Amid Heatwave: Will It Get Worse Next Month?

News 18  

Amid high electricity demand due to summers and low coal availability at power plants, many parts across the country are facing blackouts and the power cuts are ranging from 2 hours to as much as 8 hours. Why There’re Power Outages Various parts of the country are facing electricity cuts due to high demand in sweltering summer and acute coal …

Power crisis to worsen with the early heatwave
2 years, 7 months ago

Power crisis to worsen with the early heatwave

Live Mint  

NEW DELHI : Record electricity demand amid a scorching heatwave in several parts of India and depleting coal stocks may worsen outages, disrupt industrial activity, damage crops and further strain power plants and grid stability. On Thursday, Union power minister Raj Kumar Singh said the inability of state distribution companies to purchase electricity and coal and inadequate planning by state …

India sweats over worst power cuts in six years during extreme heat
2 years, 7 months ago

India sweats over worst power cuts in six years during extreme heat

Live Mint  

India is facing its worst electricity shortage in more than six years just as scorching temperatures force early closures of schools and send people indoors. In the northwest, Rajasthan has scheduled four hours of power cuts for factories, making it at least the third state to disrupt industrial activity to manage surging power demand. Industrial disruption and widespread power cuts …

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