India’s round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy story must be written in coal-rich states (like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha) because they offer existing grid infrastructure, land availability, and skilled mining labor, facilitating a "just transition". Utilizing these regions for renewable projects helps repurpose existing fossil assets, reduces economic disruption, and ensures, with storage, a reliable, low-carbon power supply. Key reasons for the focus on coal-rich states include:
India’s round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy story must be written in coal-rich states (like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha) because they offer existing grid infrastructure, land availability, and skilled mining labor, facilitating a "just transition". Utilizing these regions for renewable projects helps repurpose existing fossil assets, reduces economic disruption, and ensures, with storage, a reliable, low-carbon power supply.
Key reasons for the focus on coal-rich states include:
Infrastructure & Logistics: -
Coal-rich states already possess robust transmission networks and land, lowering the cost and time for developing large-scale solar and wind projects.
Just Transition: ,-
By investing in renewables in these areas, public sector enterprises like Coal India can offset operational emissions, reduce energy costs for mining, and protect local livelihoods by creating new green jobs.
Energy Security & Stability: -
Combining renewable energy with existing coal power, or replacing retiring, inefficient units with new renewables (paired with storage), ensures a reliable, 24/7 power supply for critical sectors.
Economic Viability: -
Leveraging these regions for renewable projects allows for a faster, more cost-effective shift towards meeting India's 2070 net-zero targets.
For these reasons, the integration of coal-rich states is crucial for India’s energy transition.
MJF Lion ER YK Sharma
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