[Answered] Is India’s ambition to phase out coal-based power generation and switch to natural gas-based energy production, viable? Discuss

An effective way to decrease the threat of global warming is to cut the use of polluting sources of energy like coal. As coal alone emits nearly twice as much carbon dioxide as natural gas. For this, India’s energy transition strategy includes increasing the share of natural gas from 6% to 15% by 2030. Moreover, at CoP26 in Glasgow, India announced the target of net zero carbon emission by 2070.

Why natural gas is preferred over coal?

• Natural gas is the cleanest-burning hydrocarbon, producing around half the carbon dioxide (CO₂) and just one tenth of the air pollutants of coal when burnt to generate electricity. There is enormous potential to reduce near-term CO₂ emissions and air pollution by using gas instead of coal.
• Natural gas is easily transportable to various points of consumption in the house or plant with the help of proper structures
• Coal-burning energy plants are a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to carbon monoxide and heavy metals like mercury, the use of coal releases sulphur dioxide, a harmful substance linked to acid rain.
• Coal mining destroys natural habitats, not only through deforestation but also by contaminating the surrounding land and waterways.

There are following points which explain continuing use of coal and issues linked to natural gas:

• Coal is still inexpensive compared with other sources of energy. The international cost of natural gas has increased due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Coal is abundant and requires lower capital expenditures to construct a coal-burning power plant. Not dependent on sun or wind, coal plants can produce energy around-the-clock.
• In the process of extracting, transporting, and distributing gas, its main component, methane leaks into the environment. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential.
• The problem in India is that we don’t have vast reserves of natural gas which means that most of the natural gas that is consumed by us has to be bought from other countries. Such constant purchases can turn into a rather expensive proposition over time.

Phasing out coal is essential not only for India but for all countries. Given the short to medium term inevitability of coal-dependence, the potential gains to implementing clean coal are massive. With the geographic advantage and the availability of vast potential of renewable energy, India can definitely achieve the target.