3.2 Carbon-Intensive Energy Sector
83
500 megawatt
thermal plant
using sub
critical
technology
releases
10,000 tons of
sulfur dioxide
3.7 million tons
of carbon
dioxide
720 tons of
carbon
monoxide
125,000 tons of
ash
225 pounds of
arsenic
10,200 tons of
nitrogen oxide
Fig. 3.7 Waste generated by thermal power plant (Srivastav 2019)
Being a frontrunner in global economy, India must address the challenges that
energy sector faces (and not confine to providing electricity alone), especially in
view of the climate-related risks. One major advantage this country has over others
is the fact that the basic infrastructure like smart cities, energy grids, buildings,
and roads are in the process of being set up, and hence it will be easier to switch
over to low-carbon/zero-carbon trajectory. Inclusion of natural gas in energy basket
in recent years has helped to reduce the carbon intensity of electric power generation. Besides, improved combustion efficiency of conventional coal technologies and
strong promotion of renewable technologies have also made appreciable progress.
83
500 megawatt
thermal plant
using sub
critical
technology
releases
10,000 tons of
sulfur dioxide
3.7 million tons
of carbon
dioxide
720 tons of
carbon
monoxide
125,000 tons of
ash
225 pounds of
arsenic
10,200 tons of
nitrogen oxide
Fig. 3.7 Waste generated by thermal power plant (Srivastav 2019)
Being a frontrunner in global economy, India must address the challenges that
energy sector faces (and not confine to providing electricity alone), especially in
view of the climate-related risks. One major advantage this country has over others
is the fact that the basic infrastructure like smart cities, energy grids, buildings,
and roads are in the process of being set up, and hence it will be easier to switch
over to low-carbon/zero-carbon trajectory. Inclusion of natural gas in energy basket
in recent years has helped to reduce the carbon intensity of electric power generation. Besides, improved combustion efficiency of conventional coal technologies and
strong promotion of renewable technologies have also made appreciable progress.