Thermal power plants are the largest source of electricity generation in India, relying primarily on coal as fuel. These plants convert thermal energy from coal combustion into electrical energy through turbines and generators. India’s thermal power capacity is significant, driven largely by its abundant domestic coal reserves and high demand for energy to support its rapidly growing population and economy. Read here to learn more.
The closure of Britain’s last coal-fired power plant, located in Nottinghamshire, represents a significant shift in the country’s energy landscape, aligning with its net-zero carbon goals and ongoing pivot to renewable energy.
This milestone signals a broader transition, as coal has historically been a cornerstone of industrial energy production.
The United Kingdom’s ability to phase out coal aligns with its advanced energy infrastructure, significant investment in renewables, and access to technology, but applying a similar approach to coal phase-out in developing countries presents unique challenges.
Challenges of Replicating the UK’s Coal Phase-Out Globally
While the UK and some other developed economies may afford to transition quickly due to greater resources, stable infrastructure, and energy alternatives, developing countries face complex realities. For instance:
- Economic Constraints:
- Many developing countries rely on coal for affordable energy to drive industrial growth and provide power to underserved regions.
- Without equivalent financial resources, they lack the subsidies and investments needed for large-scale renewable energy transitions.
- This dependency on coal also supports employment, which is crucial for economic stability.
- Infrastructure Gaps:
- Unlike developed countries, some developing nations have less reliable energy infrastructure, which makes integrating intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind challenging.
- For example, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia rely on coal as a stable power source and may need more grid resilience and storage technology before a full transition is feasible.
- Climate Vulnerability and Energy Access:
- The United Nations has pointed out that many low-income countries are especially vulnerable to climate change effects, but energy access is also critical for their development.
- Hence, a phased approach to coal reduction is more viable, paired with the gradual adoption of renewables where infrastructure and resources allow.
- Transitioning Workforce:
- Shuttering coal plants in developing regions could disrupt local economies and lead to job losses.
- While the UK has implemented support programs for displaced workers, these resources may not be available in lower-income countries, which could create significant social challenges.
Alternative Approaches for Developing Nations
- Hybrid Energy Models:
- Countries could adopt a mix of coal and renewable sources, allowing for a gradual phase-out while meeting growing energy needs.
- Hybrid models with improved clean coal technology or natural gas as a bridge fuel can be a practical alternative, particularly in nations with high coal reliance.
- International Financial Support:
- Developed nations could provide financial assistance and technology transfer to support green transitions in developing economies.
- The Paris Agreement and initiatives like the Green Climate Fund aim to provide these resources, which are essential to implementing large-scale renewable projects.
- Customized Policies and Local Solutions:
- For a sustainable transition, policies must consider local needs and capacity.
- Community-based projects like mini-grids, solar microgrids, and battery storage systems can provide power to underserved areas while building resilience against climate change.
Thermal Power in India
- Installed Capacity and Key Plants:
- As of recent data, thermal power constitutes about 60% of India’s total installed power capacity, with coal-fired plants representing the majority of this segment.
- The country has several large thermal power plants, such as the Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station in Madhya Pradesh (4,760 MW) and Mundra Thermal Power Station in Gujarat (4,620 MW), operated by NTPC Limited and Adani Power, respectively.
- Supercritical and ultra-supercritical technology is increasingly adopted in new plants to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, with NTPC’s Dadri and Reliance’s Sasan plants among those using advanced technology.
- Environmental Challenges:
- Thermal power plants in India face significant scrutiny due to their environmental impact.
- Coal combustion releases greenhouse gases (GHGs), particularly CO₂, along with sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), contributing to air pollution and climate change.
- Regulatory bodies like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) enforce strict norms for emissions, while plants are also required to install equipment for flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) and adopt cleaner technologies to control pollutants.
- Coal Supply and Challenges:
- Coal India Limited (CIL) is the primary supplier of coal-based thermal power plants in India, but the sector often faces challenges with coal shortages and transportation bottlenecks. Import dependency rises during shortages, which can lead to higher costs.
- There is a strong push towards self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in coal, with increased domestic production, especially in regions like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
Major Players in India’s Thermal Power Sector
Key companies in India’s thermal power sector include NTPC Limited, Adani Power, Tata Power, and Reliance Power.
NTPC, as the largest power utility, is also taking active steps toward cleaner energy through initiatives in carbon capture, advanced cooling systems, and hybrid solar-thermal projects.
Here are some thermal power plants in India:
- Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station: Located in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, this is India’s largest thermal power plant with an installed capacity of 4,760 MW. It is also the ninth-largest coal-fired power station in the world.
- Mundra Thermal Power Station: Located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, this is India’s largest operating thermal power plant with a capacity of 4,620 MW. It is owned and operated by Adani Power.
- Talcher Super Thermal Power Station: Located in Angul, Odisha, this is India’s second biggest power-creating station with an introduced limit of 3,000 MW. It is part of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
- Sipat Thermal Power Plant: Located in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, this plant produces thermal power of about 2,980 Megawatt.
- Rihand Thermal Power Station: Located near Renukut in Sonebhadra district in Uttar Pradesh, this plant has a capacity of 3,000 MW. It is one of the coal-based power plants of NTPC Limited.
- Tiroda Thermal Power Station: Located in Maharashtra, this plant has a capacity of 3,300 MW. It is owned by Adani Power.
- Sasan Ultra Mega Power Plant: This is India’s largest integrated power generation and coal mine project. It has a power plant capacity of 3,960 MW and a coal mining capacity of 20 MT per year.
Conclusion
While Britain’s coal phase-out sets a powerful precedent, a direct replication of this model may not be feasible for many developing and least-developed countries without a tailored approach and international support.
India’s thermal power sector is thus in a transitional phase, seeking a balance between energy demands and environmental commitments, as the country progresses toward its renewable energy goals while ensuring energy security for its population.
India aims to gradually reduce reliance on coal by increasing its renewable energy capacity. However, thermal power is still expected to play a crucial role in India’s energy mix due to its reliability and ability to provide consistent, base-load power.
Government policies are encouraging more efficient and less polluting technologies, and hybrid models with solar and wind energy integration are being explored to make the sector more sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How do thermal plants work?
Ans: The burning of fuels such as oil, coal and LNG (liquefied natural gas) fires a boiler to generate high-temperature, high-pressure steam. This steam is used to drive a steam turbine. A generator attached to the steam turbine generates electricity.
Q. What is India’s total thermal capacity?
Ans: As of Sept 2024, India has a total thermal installed capacity of 243.05 GW of which 211.02 GW is the installed capacity of Coal and the rest from Lignite, Diesel, and Gas.
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-Article by Swathi Satish
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