The Ministry of Power (MoP) has set a roadmap to reduce power generation from coal-fired utilities over the next four years, in an effort to promote clean energy sources.
The process involves replacement of 57,869 million units of thermal power with renewable capacity of 30,028 megawatts (MW) in a phased manner. This will be executed under the revised scheme for flexibility in thermal/hydro power through bundling with renewable energy and storage power.
Accordingly, the MoP has earmarked 81 coal-fired stations for the energy transition and asked them to meet the target as per the year-wise trajectory: 20% in 2023-24, 35% in 2024-25 and 45% in 2025-26.
Under this provision, the power generating companies can establish or procure renewable energy from a source which is either co-located on the premises or at a new location.
Saving in coal consumption
The substitution of thermal power with renewable energy has been proposed with an intent to increase the share of renewables and meet the compliance under renewable purchase obligations so as to accommodate cheaper renewable energy based on availability.
Besides, it would also help mitigate the risk of coal crisis thus leading to efficient utilisation of power sources to cater to the elevated power demand.
Notably, MoP has estimated that the implementation of this scheme would conserve coal to the tune of 34.7 mnt and reduce carbon emissions by 60.2 mnt.
The ministry has further advised the listed plants to infuse higher renewable addition beyond the set target as well as those who are not listed to implement this scheme in order to achieve its long-term goal of 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030.
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