Niti Aayog’s latest draft National Energy Policy encourages de-carbonisation, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
But it is also filled with contradictions and omissions.
What is the major contradiction?
The policy foresees India’s power demand going up four-fold by 2040.
It also estimates coal-fired power capacity to grow to 330-441 GW by 2040.
This projected scenario is in direct conflict with the declared twin goals of sustainability and security.
It also comes at a time when solar and wind tariffs appear to be reaching historic new lows.
This dropping tariffs and the advancements of renewable energy proves that renewables are the logical choice to power India’s energy transformation.
Coal Export - NITI Aayog proposes that our coal industry will emerge as an exporter of coal.
It is against our international commitments to tackling climate change.
Tackling Air Pollution - The draft proposes that the geographic concentration of power plant will be strategically placed to not damage air quality in human habitations.
This is illogical as the placement of polluting power stations is indifferen tot the pollution it will cause to the environment.
Public Health - It briefly touches upon of consideration of public health of semi-urban and rural regions of India.
It doesn’t address problems of city dwellers.
Nuclear Energy - The draft calls nuclear energy as the only green energy source to be relied upon for baseload power requirements.
Age of India’s nuclear reactors, high pice paid for nuclear energy, safety issues were not covered.
