The UK officially closed its last remaining coal power plant on Monday, becoming the first G7 nation to do so amid calls for a global coal-free energy system by 2040.
As the UK moves away from coal, experts say it will continue to play a significant role in India's energy mix for decades, given the country's development status and substantial energy needs.
The world’s first coal power plant opened in London in 1882, and until 2012, coal accounted for 39% of the UK's electricity generation.
Global energy think tank Ember reported that the closure of the UK's last coal plant means that over a third of OECD countries are now coal-free, with three-quarters expected to eliminate coal power by 2030 to align with global climate goals aimed at limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The International Energy Agency's (IEA) "Net Zero by 2050" report recommends that developed countries phase out unabated coal by 2030, while developing nations should target a phase-out by 2040 to remain on track for global net-zero emissions by 2050.
The term "unabated" refers to electricity production that does not employ technologies designed to capture and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As developed countries encourage their counterparts in the developing world to accelerate the phase-down of unabated coal power, India's position remains firm.
The country, which is the world's second-largest consumer of coal for electricity generation after China, saw its share of coal-fired power generation rise to 75% in 2023-24, up from 71% in 2019-20.
While coal consumption has declined in Europe and the US in 2023, it increased by 8% in India and 5% in China. India's reliance on coal began several decades later than that of developed nations, with its first major thermal power plant, the Hussain Sagar Thermal Power Station in Hyderabad, established in 1920.
"While coal will not disappear in the near future, India must reduce harmful emissions from the sector by deploying advanced air pollution control technologies and improving efficiency to curb carbon emissions," said Sunil Dahiya, an independent analyst.
Climate activist Harjeet Singh highlighted the dual nature of coal, stating, "The cost of coal goes far beyond emissions—it destroys ecosystems, displaces communities, and deepens environmental injustice. India must urgently shift away from coal, and the international community must provide the financial and technological support needed for a just transition—for both people and the planet."
Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, emphasised the complexity of India's situation in a recent webinar. "India can't cut down coal immediately, and it is hypocritical in the West to focus solely on coal while ignoring oil and natural gas," he said. "However, if we are going to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, we must recognise that we need to phase out thermal power."
Sunita Narain, director general of the Centre for Science and Environment, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We need to talk about a different future for coal. We must clean up coal—not just for climate change but also for local air pollution."
India's Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has reiterated that the country is committed to meeting the energy needs of its population, asserting, "We will also have to rely on coal power until we achieve developed country status."
He added that India cannot depend solely on "importing oil and gas" to meet its energy demands, advocating for a balanced approach to energy transition.
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