Introduction:

The closure of the U.K.’s last coal-fired power plant marks a significant milestone in its energy transition, reflecting global shifts towards cleaner energy.

However, replicating the U.K.’s approach in countries like India presents challenges due to different socio-economic and developmental contexts. India’s coal industry remains crucial to its energy needs, employment, and economic activities.

The transition from coal will require careful planning, region-specific strategies, and learning from both successes and mistakes of countries like the U.K.

U.K.’s Coal Transition:

1. Historical Context:
   • The shift from coal in the U.K. began after the Great Smog of 1952, leading to legislation like the Clean Air Act of 1956.
   • The discovery of natural gas in 1965 and geopolitical factors such as depleting coal reserves during the Cold War also hastened the move away from coal.
   • The Thatcher government’s forced closure of mines in the 1980s led to regional poverty, highlighting the socio-economic challenges of abrupt transitions.

2. Holistic Transition:
   • The U.K.’s recent phase-out approach focused on retraining coal workers, early retirement, regional redevelopment, and renewable energy projects such as offshore wind farms.
   • Repurposing coal infrastructure for cleaner energy forms, like biomass conversion at Drax, mitigated the socio-economic impacts of the transition.
   • Despite some resistance, such as in the steel industry, the U.K. adopted clear timelines for the coal phase-out, which were supported by public awareness on climate change.

India’s Coal Story:

1. Energy Dependency:
   • India’s coal reliance is significant, with about 70% of its energy output coming from coal, accounting for 218 GW of installed capacity.
   • The average age of Indian coal plants is around 12 years, implying they will operate for decades before decommissioning.
   • India is yet to reach peak coal production and consumption, expected around 2030-2035.

2. Employment and Economic Considerations:
   • India’s coal sector provides direct and indirect employment to over a million people. Many regions depend on coal for livelihood, especially those transitioning from agriculture.
   • Unlike the U.K., India’s coal-producing regions are among the poorest in the country, making a rapid phase-out economically and socially challenging.

Lessons for India:

1. Avoiding Past Mistakes: India can learn from the U.K.’s 1980s mistakes by ensuring that any transition is inclusive, gradual, and involves retraining programs to avoid socio-economic shocks to coal-dependent regions.
2. Transition Planning:
   • India needs to set clear, transparent timelines for plant decommissioning and renewable energy expansion.
   • Focus on creating region-specific redevelopment programs for coal-dependent areas, ensuring the retraining of workers for future industries, including renewables and heavy machinery sectors.
3. Regional Redevelopment and Renewable Push: Similar to the U.K., India should focus on boosting renewables like solar and wind, with projects near existing coal regions to utilize infrastructure and create new job opportunities.

Conclusion:

India’s path to net-zero emissions will require a phased and adaptive approach, considering the country’s heavy dependence on coal, socio-economic challenges, and development goals.

A just transition can be achieved through early planning, regional redevelopment, and workforce retraining, learning from the U.K.’s experience while tailoring solutions to India’s specific needs.