UK Phase-Out Coal Power Plant 

Syllabus: GS 3/Environment 

In News 

• The UK’s last coal-based generation plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, was taken off the grid, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy transition.

 UK Coal Phase-Out: Success  

• The UK has a long history with coal, with its first coal plant established over 140 years ago. 
• The share of coal in electricity generation dropped from about 97% in the 1950s to less than 2% recently.
• Since the 1990s, the UK government has pursued policies to close coal mines for political reasons, aiming to phase out all coal plants by 2024.
• Market Drivers: The decline in coal generation was facilitated by increasing carbon emission costs and stricter EU regulations.
  • Carbon capture and storage were mandated for new coal plants, making coal less profitable.
• Alternative Energy: The availability of cheap gas significantly contributed to the shift away from coal. The UK’s electricity generation peaked and has since declined, with overall generation down by 24% from 2000 to 2023.
  • The UK increased electricity imports, meeting 20% of its demand in early 2024, thus reducing reliance on domestic coal.

Situation in India 

•  India holds the fifth-largest coal reserves globally and is the second-largest coal consumer.

• The country’s rapid economic growth drives high coal consumption.
  • Total coal imports increased by 0.9%, reaching 90.51 million tonnes (MT) compared to 89.68 MT in the previous year.
• India’s demand for power continues to grow, with coal currently accounting for 70% of its energy output.
  • Coal is essential for producing key materials like steel, cement, fertilizer, and paper.
•  India’s first coal mine dates back to 1774, and it has a much larger population than the UK.
• India is the third-largest carbon emitter, but its per capita emissions (2 tonnes) are significantly lower than the global average (4.6 tonnes) and the UK’s (5.5 tonnes).

Challenges 

• Coal Consumption Trends: India is expected to peak coal production and consumption between 2030-35, contrasting with the UK, which peaked decades earlier.
• Employment in Coal Sector: India’s coal sector employs a significant number of workers, with potential for growth as coal production continues, while the UK’s coal employment has dramatically decreased.
• India lacks access to cheap gas and faces challenges in expanding hydro and nuclear energy.
• India is extending the operation of coal plants beyond typical contracts and is relaxing environmental regulations, contrary to the UK’s approach of tightening norms.
• India’s track record on pollution control is poor, with less than 5% of identified coal capacity having installed flue-gas desulfurizers.

Lessons for India

• The UK focused on a holistic transition plan, including retraining programs, community redevelopment, and integrating renewable energy projects to support former coal regions.
• India can learn from the UK’s experience by establishing clear timelines for coal plant decommissioning, developing regional redevelopment programs, and retraining workers in historically coal-dependent areas.

Conclusion

• The UK has made significant strides in phasing out coal, but India’s circumstances necessitate continued reliance on coal, posing unique challenges for its energy transition.
  • The UK has made some progress in reducing carbon emissions but remains dependent on gas.
• Therefore a  transparent and forward-looking approach is essential for India’s energy transition, ensuring it is inclusive and considers the socio-economic realities of coal-dependent communities.

Source :IE