The Tuticorin power plant, located on salt flats in southern India, exemplifies a major challenge for India’s rapidly growing economy: securing reliable energy for its massive population of 1.4 billion people.

The Tuticorin power plant, a massive coal facility in southern India, highlights a dilemma for the country. Initially slated for closure due to its age and inability to meet new emission standards, the plant remains operational at full capacity. This continued reliance on an outdated facility, burning coal transported long distances, adds to India’s overall carbon footprint.

India’s electricity demand is surging due to rising incomes, hotter temperatures, and increased use of air conditioners. This rapid growth has strained the country’s power grid. Despite Prime Minister Modi’s pledge to expand renewable energy sources like solar and wind, his administration hasn’t been able to meet the demand, leading to a surprising reprieve for inefficient coal plants like Tuticorin.

Prime Minister Modi’s recent decisions to approve new coal power plants and extend the life of existing ones have sparked concerns. This approach puts India at odds with its allies who are prioritizing cleaner energy sources to address climate change. Additionally, it raises questions about India’s commitment to curbing air pollution and its sizable greenhouse gas emissions.

India’s energy choices will significantly impact the global transition away from coal. With China, the current top consumer, likely reaching peak demand in 2022, the International Energy Agency suggests that India and Southeast Asia’s growing economies will be the key drivers of future coal use.

Ashwini K. Swain, a climate expert at the Sustainable Futures Collaborative think tank, suggests India is sending a clear message: while they support global climate action, the country’s domestic needs will ultimately come first.

Efforts to reach India’s power ministry and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corp., the operator of the Tuticorin plant, for comment were unsuccessful.

India faces challenges in securing reliable and affordable electricity. A major coal and power crisis struck the country in October 2021, coinciding with its post-pandemic economic recovery. Years of stagnant demand had resulted in slow growth of capacities in mining, transporting, and generating power.

India’s efforts to address the 2021 coal and power crisis proved temporary. The following summer saw a surge in energy demand, leading to the worst power shortages in eight years. While the national situation improved in 2023, Maharashtra, a key industrial state, faced a critical 10% peak electricity deficit in August, highlighting ongoing challenges.

India’s initial recovery from the 2021 coal and power crisis proved short-lived. The following summer witnessed record-breaking energy demand, resulting in the worst power shortages in eight years. While the national situation improved in 2023, Maharashtra, a vital industrial state, experienced a concerning 10% peak electricity deficit in August, highlighting the persistent challenges in securing reliable power.

India’s response to power shortages defied expectations of a green energy transition. Instead of accelerating renewables, the government prioritized increased coal mining, halted plans for retiring old power plants, and even raised targets for coal-fired electricity generation. Additionally, they successfully lobbied international forums to avoid restrictions on fossil fuels.

Prakash Tiwari, a former director at India’s largest power producer, NTPC Ltd., emphasizes the importance of leveraging readily available resources. His statement, “As a country, we should play to our strength, and coal is our strength,” reflects India’s current focus on utilizing existing coal reserves to meet energy demands.

Widespread adoption of renewable energy alternatives faces hurdles due to financial, political, and safety considerations.

Despite India’s focus on coal, renewable energy is gaining some traction. Just outside Tuticorin, a solar power plant and surrounding wind farms operated by Ayana Renewable Power showcase the potential of renewables with energy storage solutions, particularly for industrial users. However, this trend is still in its early stages. Solar power only contributed to 6% of India’s electricity generation in 2023 (based on Bloomberg calculations using power ministry data), highlighting the dominance of coal in the country’s current energy mix.

NLC India Ltd., another state-run power producer, prioritizes fossil fuels. According to Chairman M. Prasanna Kumar, they’re allocating more than double the investment for expanding coal and lignite-based power generation and mining compared to renewable energy projects.

Natural gas, touted as a cleaner alternative to coal, faces challenges in India. Despite industry promotion, nearly 25 gigawatts of gas-fired power capacity lie unused for years. Cheaper coal and the lack of readily available, affordable domestic gas make it difficult for natural gas to compete in India’s cost-sensitive power market, even with imported liquefied natural gas.

Hydropower expansion in India faces environmental and social hurdles. While the Himalayas offer potential for dams, the region experiences frequent extreme weather events. This raises safety concerns and fuels local opposition, leading to project delays and rising costs, ultimately making many hydropower projects unviable.

Nuclear power, considered a low-emission option elsewhere, hasn’t gained significant traction in India. Despite a global resurgence, India’s nuclear program suffers from slow progress and lingering safety concerns. The country’s nuclear liability law, holding vendors accountable for accidents, discourages participation. Additionally, the public memory of the Bhopal gas disaster in 1984 fuels anxieties about nuclear safety.

India’s nuclear expansion faces local resistance. The Kudankulam nuclear power plant, located roughly 90 miles south of Tuticorin and planned for significant expansion, is a case in point. Mildred, a 52-year-old resident of the nearby village Idinthakarai, has become a prominent voice against the project. She actively travels the country raising awareness about the risks of nuclear energy.

An activist recently gestured towards nearby wind turbines, questioning why renewable energy can’t be the primary source of power.

India pursued nuclear expansion through international collaborations. In 2008, a deal with the US opened doors for new nuclear projects. Agreements were also signed with foreign reactor suppliers like General Electric-Hitachi, Westinghouse Electric, and Areva SA (later transferred to Electricite de France). However, the strict liability law in India discouraged some companies, like GE-Hitachi, from participating.

Plans in western Maharashtra once included building a massive nuclear power plant. This facility, envisioned near Alphonso mango orchards, would have been the world’s largest with a capacity of 9.6 gigawatts.

Local opposition to land acquisition stalled the project. Kiran Dixit, a former executive director at the state-run Nuclear Power Corp. of India Ltd., faced resistance from residents unwilling to sell their land for the planned nuclear plant.

Locals initially resisted land acquisition due to concerns about low compensation and potential impact on their livelihoods, including fishing and mango farming. The state-run Nuclear Power Corp. of India Ltd. addressed some of these concerns, ultimately acquiring the land according to a former executive director, Kiran Dixit. However, the Jaitapur project remains largely stalled as negotiations over the final terms of the deal continue.

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