Monthly Update, June 2023
Coal Mines:
Despite the Indian Government’s claim to reduce the use of coal and thermal power plants, various new coal mines have recently started commercial operations. State-owned THDC India Ltd commenced coal supply operations from its Amelia coal block in Madhya Pradesh.
Thermal Power Plants:
The Institute of Engineers in Nagpur centre along with Nagpur today organised a talk to address the expansion Koradi Thermal Power Plant and related environmental concerns. Adani Group’s Godda thermal plant has also started commercial operations. Despite our national energy transition strategy talking about phasing out coal and thermal power plants and moving towards renewable energy, we continue to see new coal blocks and expansion of thermal power plants. Adani group has also begun supplying electricity to Bangladesh through their Jharkhand thermal power plant in Godda.
Positive news on this front is that based on the latest directives by National Green Tribunal (NGT), it seems that the commissioning of Yadadri thermal power plant will be delayed or stalled due to environmental concerns. Concerns such as radiology, coal analysis, ash pond and wildlife issues were brought up in their appeal to NGT by the local environmental organisations.
Renewable Energy and Energy Transition:
World Economic Forum has released a country-based ranking on energy transition. While India performs poorly by being ranked 67 in spite of improvements from the last couple of years. The bigger question is why World Economic Forum and Accenture have decided to rank countries on energy transition now. The WEF does not quite have the credentials to speak on clean energy, climate change, or just transition.
Centre for Financial Accountability is now on Telegram. Click here to join our Telegram channel and stay tuned to the latest updates and insights on the economy and finance.