This is the first time in the last four decades that India's carbon emissions have come down.

Is it because of the lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of corona virus?

According to the report of the environmental website Carbon Brief, fuel demand was reduced due to reduced power consumption and increased use of renewable energy even before the lockdown was implemented in India.

Then the lockdown implemented in March reversed the trend of increasing carbon emissions in India for the first time in the last thirty-seven years.

According to research, India's carbon emissions have come down by 15 percent in March and it is expected to come down by 30 percent in April (figures are yet to come). That is, there has been a 45 percent reduction in carbon emissions in two months.

The coal-based generators have been affected by whatever shortage of power demand. And this is probably also the reason for reduced carbon emissions.

Coal power generation declined 15 percent in March and 31 percent in the first three weeks of April.

But before the lockdown, the demand for coal started decreasing.

According to research, in the fiscal year ending in March 2020, coal sales were down by two percent.

Although this figure is low but when it is seen in comparison to the past years, it seems quite large.

In the last decade, every year coal production of electricity has registered an increase of 7.5 percent per year.

There is a similar reduction in oil consumption in India.

From the beginning of the year 2019, its fuel consumption speed started slowing down.

And in this also, the effect of the lockdown implemented due to Kovid-19 is clear.

Oil consumption in March declined by 18 percent over the previous year.

Meanwhile the power supply from renewable energy sources has increased and remained stable during lockdown.

However, despite the reduction in demand due to lockdown, the trend of production of renewable energy sources is not limited to India.

According to data published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in late April, worldwide coal consumption has decreased by 8 percent.

At the same time, demand for solar and wind energy has increased worldwide.

One reason for the impact of the reduction in the demand for electricity is due to the power generation due to coal, because daily coal production is expensive.

At the same time, once the solar panel or wind turbine is installed, the cost of operating it is low, and this is why they are preferred in the electricity grid.

At the same time, fuel is to be purchased for thermal power plants operated from oil, gas or coal.

However, experts also say that there will not always be a reduction in fossil fuel consumption.

Experts say that once the lockdown is lifted, countries will try to revive their economies and thermal power consumption will increase and carbon emissions will also increase.

America has started loosening environmental regulations and the fear is that other countries of the world can do the same.

However, carbon brief analysts believe that India might not do this and there are reasons.

The corona virus epidemic has again underscored the long-standing crisis in India's coal sector.

And the Government of India is preparing a package of 90 thousand crores.

But the Indian government is also considering helping the renewable energy sector.

In India, renewable energy is much cheaper than coal.

The report claimed that solar energy costs Rs 2.55 per kWh per hour, while coal produced electricity costs an average of Rs 3.38 per kWh.

Investment in clean energy is also favorable for India's National Clean Air Program. This program was started in the year 2019.

Environmentalists also believe that the clear air and sky watching the lockdown will put pressure on the Indian government to reduce air pollution and invest in clean energy.

(Click here for Android APP of IBTN. You can follow us on facebook and Twitter)

Share This News

About sharing