134
4 Climate Mitigation and India’s Commitment to Global Community
The report mentions that the total installed capacity for power generation in March
2015 was 271,722 megawatts
8 with coal as the primary energy source for power
generation. It reiterates the fact that coal will continue to fuel thermal power plants
in India in future and in order to improve energy efficiency of the coal-based power
plants and to reduce the GHG emissions. The new thermal power plants would be
based on super-critical technology. As far as transport sector is concerned, India
largely depended on import of petroleum that increased from 74.10 million metric
tons in 2000–2001 to 189.44 million metric tons in 2014–2015.
4.5 Commitment
In accordance with the provisions of Article 12, paragraphs 1(b) and 4, and Article
10, paragraph 2(a), of the Convention, India communicated its voluntary pledge to
reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20–25% by 2020 compared with the
2005 level. The emission intensity of GDP was reduced from 35.14 kilogram of
CO 2 eq./1000 in 2005 to 31.01 kilogram of CO 2 eq./1000 in 2010. The voluntary
commitment to reduce emission intensity excluded emissions from agriculture. A
national action plan for climate change was launched in 2008 to mitigate climate
impact (Government of India. National Action Plan 2008). Summary of the plan is
provided in Fig. 4.9.
A summary of actions/proposals to mitigate climate action is provided:
i Development of ultra-mega power projects of about 4,000 megawatts capacity
each using super-critical technology with the intention of achieving higher
levels of efficiency, substantial fuel saving and reducing GHG emission. Also,
40 super-critical plants with a total capacity of 27,485 megawatts have been
installed.
ii Introduction of super-efficient equipment programme (SEEP) through efficient
fans, LED bulbs, and tube lights. This was expected to save 6.06 billion units
per year by 2016–2017 and help offset an installed capacity of 1500 megawatts
during 12th five-year plan.
iii The overall target for renewable energy was enhanced from 35,775 megawatts
in 2015 to 175,000 by 2022 comprising 100,000 megawatts solar,
60,000 megawatts wind, 10,000 megawatts biomass, and 5000 megawatts small
hydropower, respectively.
iv During the year 2014–2015, India generated 37,835 million units of energy
from 21 nuclear power plants with installed capacity of 5780 megawatts. This
capacity was expected to be enhanced to nearly 10,000 megawatts by 2018–
2019 and thereafter to 63,000 megawatts by 2032.
v Five million incandescent lamps were replaced by compact fluorescent lamps
(CFL) in 2011 saving 231 million units of electricity. It was intended to replace
8 In 2010, the installed capacity of renewable energy-based grid-interactive power-generating units
was 35,777 megawatts.
4 Climate Mitigation and India’s Commitment to Global Community
The report mentions that the total installed capacity for power generation in March
2015 was 271,722 megawatts
8 with coal as the primary energy source for power
generation. It reiterates the fact that coal will continue to fuel thermal power plants
in India in future and in order to improve energy efficiency of the coal-based power
plants and to reduce the GHG emissions. The new thermal power plants would be
based on super-critical technology. As far as transport sector is concerned, India
largely depended on import of petroleum that increased from 74.10 million metric
tons in 2000–2001 to 189.44 million metric tons in 2014–2015.
4.5 Commitment
In accordance with the provisions of Article 12, paragraphs 1(b) and 4, and Article
10, paragraph 2(a), of the Convention, India communicated its voluntary pledge to
reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20–25% by 2020 compared with the
2005 level. The emission intensity of GDP was reduced from 35.14 kilogram of
CO 2 eq./1000 in 2005 to 31.01 kilogram of CO 2 eq./1000 in 2010. The voluntary
commitment to reduce emission intensity excluded emissions from agriculture. A
national action plan for climate change was launched in 2008 to mitigate climate
impact (Government of India. National Action Plan 2008). Summary of the plan is
provided in Fig. 4.9.
A summary of actions/proposals to mitigate climate action is provided:
i Development of ultra-mega power projects of about 4,000 megawatts capacity
each using super-critical technology with the intention of achieving higher
levels of efficiency, substantial fuel saving and reducing GHG emission. Also,
40 super-critical plants with a total capacity of 27,485 megawatts have been
installed.
ii Introduction of super-efficient equipment programme (SEEP) through efficient
fans, LED bulbs, and tube lights. This was expected to save 6.06 billion units
per year by 2016–2017 and help offset an installed capacity of 1500 megawatts
during 12th five-year plan.
iii The overall target for renewable energy was enhanced from 35,775 megawatts
in 2015 to 175,000 by 2022 comprising 100,000 megawatts solar,
60,000 megawatts wind, 10,000 megawatts biomass, and 5000 megawatts small
hydropower, respectively.
iv During the year 2014–2015, India generated 37,835 million units of energy
from 21 nuclear power plants with installed capacity of 5780 megawatts. This
capacity was expected to be enhanced to nearly 10,000 megawatts by 2018–
2019 and thereafter to 63,000 megawatts by 2032.
v Five million incandescent lamps were replaced by compact fluorescent lamps
(CFL) in 2011 saving 231 million units of electricity. It was intended to replace
8 In 2010, the installed capacity of renewable energy-based grid-interactive power-generating units
was 35,777 megawatts.