India’s commitment to coal remains stronger than ever, and the government’s latest move to extend the mandate for coal-fired plants to run at full capacity until February 28 is proof of that. In a world where renewables may be slowly gaining ground, coal continues to power over 70% of India’s electricity needs.
The mandate, which first kicked in this October, was meant to ensure the country didn’t fall into an energy crunch amid heatwaves and droughts that slashed hydropower generation. Now, its mandate been extended into the new year, keeping the coal-fueled machinery running full throttle for a little while longer.
