Coal throbs at the heart of India growth engine

[GliderGuider]

Coal throbs at the heart of India growth engine

KORBA (Reuters) – A thin coat of coal dust covers everything from trees to houses in Korba, a coal mining town which lies at the heart of the country's struggle to balance economic growth with climate change concerns.

The air is heavy with smoke and dust spewing out of numerous mines and power plants in a region that powers hundreds of factories in the country's industrial west and lights up millions of homes.

Although government has announced a new climate plan which identifies renewable energy such as solar power as key elements, coal remains the backbone of energy supply in a country where almost half the 1.1 billion population still has no electricity.

"Coal-fired power will stay for the next 20-25 years at least," said R.D. Sonkar, chief engineer at one of Korba's many thermal power stations.

"Look at the high cost of solar and wind energy. Can we afford? Power from renewable energy will have to wait, I think."

It's time for a little A&A, folks - Acceptance and Adaptation.

[Nederland]

1. Coal power will never go away through regulation

The only way the world will stop burning coal for electricity is if we come up with something that is actually cheaper. Not cheaper after taking into account carbon taxes or efforts to encapsulate the negative impacts of coal burning into the price, but actually cheaper at the front end. This is difficult because it is so very cheap on the front end.

[GliderGuider]

2. I agree.

It's hard to imagine we'll develop an electrical power source that's cheaper than coal, at least before WAIS melts.

[Nihil]

3. And the answer is ...

> The only way the world will stop burning coal for electricity is if
> we come up with something that is actually cheaper.

Pixie dust!

That's what works for all of the people who don't want to face up
to the real costs of their consumption!

Please don't tell me you don't believe in it ...?

[joshcryer]

4. You have to ban carbon or pray something magical comes along like Polywell.

There are very few ways to get rid of the cheapness of coal. Very few.