Integrated Energy Policy draft of the Planning Commission has propounded coal based power policy for the country. There are also few influential persons/ organizations advocating for such a policy. There has been a great rush to set up a large number of coal based power stations both in public and private sectors. The implications of having 70% coal power by 2031-32 are huge, and need to be considered holistically in the best interest of the society. The social, economic and environmental implications of such a policy need to be carefully weighed in view of the vast experience available across the world.
(This paper submitted on 23 March 2009)