{"id":31530,"date":"2024-10-29T20:03:06","date_gmt":"2024-10-29T14:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=31530"},"modified":"2024-10-29T20:03:08","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T14:33:08","slug":"uk-phase-out-coal-power-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/29-10-2024\/uk-phase-out-coal-power-plant","title":{"rendered":"UK Phase-Out Coal Power Plant\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Syllabus: GS 3\/Environment <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In News\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • The UK’s last coal-based generation plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, was taken off the grid, marking a significant milestone in the country\u2019s energy transition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    \u00a0UK Coal Phase-Out: Success\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • The UK has a long history with coal, with its first coal plant established over 140 years ago.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The share of coal in electricity generation dropped from about 97% in the 1950s to less than 2% recently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Market Drivers: <\/strong>The decline in coal generation was facilitated by increasing carbon emission costs and stricter EU regulations.\n
        \n
      • Carbon capture and storage were mandated for new coal plants, making coal less profitable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Alternative Energy: <\/strong>The availability of cheap gas significantly contributed to the shift away from coal. The UK\u2019s electricity generation peaked and has since declined, with overall generation down by 24% from 2000 to 2023.\n
          \n
        • The UK increased electricity imports, meeting 20% of its demand in early 2024, thus reducing reliance on domestic coal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Situation in India\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • \u00a0India holds the fifth-largest coal reserves globally and is the second-largest coal consumer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            \"energy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • The country’s rapid economic growth drives high coal consumption.\n
                \n
              • Total coal imports increased by 0.9%, reaching 90.51 million tonnes (MT) compared to 89.68 MT in the previous year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • India\u2019s demand for power continues to grow, with coal currently accounting for 70% of its energy output<\/strong>.\n
                  \n
                • Coal is essential for producing key materials like steel, cement, fertilizer, and paper.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • \u00a0India’s first coal mine dates back to 1774, and it has a much larger population than the UK.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • India is the third-largest carbon emitter<\/strong>, but its per capita emissions (2 tonnes) are significantly lower than the global average (4.6 tonnes) and the UK’s (5.5 tonnes).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Challenges\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • Coal Consumption Trends:<\/strong> India is expected to peak coal production and consumption between 2030-35, contrasting with the UK, which peaked decades earlier.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Employment in Coal Sector<\/strong>: India\u2019s coal sector employs a significant number of workers, with potential for growth as coal production continues, while the UK\u2019s coal employment has dramatically decreased.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • India lacks access to cheap gas<\/strong> and faces challenges in expanding hydro and nuclear energy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • India is extending the operation of coal plants<\/strong> beyond typical contracts and is relaxing environmental regulations, contrary to the UK\u2019s approach of tightening norms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • India’s track record on pollution control<\/strong> is poor, with less than 5% of identified coal capacity having installed flue-gas desulfurizers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    Lessons for India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    • The UK focused on a holistic transition plan, including retraining programs, community redevelopment, and integrating renewable energy projects to support former coal regions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • India can learn from the UK\u2019s experience <\/strong>by establishing clear timelines for coal plant decommissioning, developing regional redevelopment programs, and retraining workers in historically coal-dependent areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                        \n
                      • 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.\n
                          \n
                        • The UK has made some progress in reducing carbon emissions but remains dependent on gas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Therefore a\u00a0 transparent and forward-looking approach is essential for India\u2019s energy transition, ensuring it is inclusive and considers the socio-economic realities of coal-dependent communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          Source :IE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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