India is trying for a greener future, pushing to add more renewable sources into its energy mix. However, the country's enormous dependence on coal to meet its growing energy needs is not likely to end anytime soon.
While Asia's third-largest economy gradually climbs the ladder of clean energy over the next few decades, policymakers in New Delhi in the meantime need to find more efficient ways of using of coal to generate power.
“Given that India will continue to rely on coal power in the coming decade, it must rein in the wasteful use of coal and improve generation efficiency,” Karthik Ganesan, director of research co-ordination at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a Delhi-based policy research institute, says.
Coal-based power accounts for about 65 per cent of total electricity generated in India. The country, however, aims to grow the ratio of renewables in its energy mix as it targets 450 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030. India is betting on solar power to lead the push for green energy as it tries to meet its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and sate the growing appetite for power over the coming decades.
India is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world and coal is a major contributor to its carbon footprint. But under the Paris climate change agreement, it has committed to cut its emissions as a percentage of its gross domestic product by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels.
Coal will continue to play a vital role in fuelling the country's economy despite the fossil fuel's harmful impact on the climate, analysts say. The International Energy Agency forecasts that India is expected to account for the largest share of energy demand growth over the next two decades, with its energy consumption almost doubling to meet the needs of an expanding economy and urbanisation.
“Renewable energy technologies are still developing and issues of intermittency and storage are still being resolved,” Vinaya Varma, managing director and chief executive of mjunction services, an e-commerce platform that provides online coal sales services in India, says.
“Unless renewable energy becomes a source of stable and base-load power through proven and economical technologies, coal will continue to play a key role in India's energy sector.”
It will be a long process for India to wean itself off coal, partly because many stakeholders depend on revenue from the industry.
State-run Coal India “alone accounts for over 85 per cent of total coal production in India and it has already set an ambitious target to increase production in subsequent years”, says Binod Modi, head of strategy at Reliance Securities, a Mumbai-based broking house.
“Rich coal reserves in various areas of the country offer huge employment [opportunities] ... also ensure hefty taxes for the government and sizeable business for railways,” he says. “Considering these facts, we believe coal is unlikely to be phased out [soon].”
Another challenge for India is the inefficiency of its coal industry and the financial distress of its power sector. Despite having some of the largest coal reserves in the world, India is a net importer of the fossil fuel.
“We believe land acquisition issues, the lack of adequate technology and transparency [issues] in allocation process have been key concerns for the industry over the past years,” says Mr Modi.
The country's coal industry “is facing major pressures as a result of a changing market and policy context, as well as near‐term challenges related to Covid‐19”, the IEA said in its India Energy Outlook 2021 report.
“In the face of these pressures, coal [industry] needs to switch to a much leaner, more cost‐efficient model for operation and investment,” the IEA added.
Measures to boost efficiency could include improving the operational performance of mines and plants, streamlining logistics and bringing in more private sector investment – something that India is already working towards, it adds.
While several countries are looking to reduce their use of coal − including Germany, which aims to phase out coal as an energy source from its power mix – India this year launched its largest-ever auctions of coal mines. This is part of government plans to open up the industry to allow the private sector to play a larger role in coal mining, allowing winning bidders to produce and sell the fuel. The ultimate aim is for India to become a net exporter of the fossil fuel.
“[The] opening of coal sector for commercial mining was a fantastic move to improve productivity in the sector,” says Reliance Securities' Mr Modi. “This should essentially aid India to reduce its import dependence in the long run.”
Given that India will continue to rely on coal power in the coming decade, it must rein in the wasteful use of coal and improve generation efficiency
Karthik Ganesan,
director of research coordination, Council on Energy, Environment and Water
However, India received no bids in July for 48 of the 67 mines it had put up for auction, with investor interest dampened by environmental concerns and low margins.
Improving efficiency becomes all the more pressing as India's coal industry has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected demand for power. This resulted in Coal India reporting a 23.9 per cent decline in its net profit for the financial year ending in March, compared to the previous fiscal year.
However, despite weaker demand, production remains on an upward trajectory. India's coal production is set to increase to 827.8 million tonnes this year from 777m tonnes in 2020, analytics firm GlobalData said in a report in June.
GlobaData describes this as “an impressive feat given the operational disruption caused by Covid-19”, adding that “a key to this increase in output is the entry of private players to the industry”.
The recent deadly second wave of coronavirus infections in India has also posed some short-term challenges to the industry.
“The sharp increase in new Covid-19 cases since the beginning of March 2021 and fresh lockdowns across key coal-producing states – such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana – has hampered India’s coal operations,” says Vinneth Bajaj, a mining analyst at GlobalData.
Experts say that slower-than-expected growth of demand for power in India has exacerbated the under-utilisation of the country's coal assets.
According to a new study by CEEW, India has an opportunity to save $1.23 billion each year if it shuts down some of its old coal-fired power plants – which consume more fuel than modern facilities – and runs the newer ones for longer periods of time.
The study recommends considering 30 gigawatts of India's coal-based capacity for accelerated closure.
“Decommissioning a part of the fleet today could make coal power generation more efficient and less polluting, and accelerate decarbonisation in the power sector,” says Mr Ganesan. “Decommissioning identified assets will usher in new investments in a more balanced generation system that does not have the sword of surplus hanging over it.”
While coal may not be phased out in the near term, experts say that the share of coal in the energy mix will reduce over time.
“India has not adopted any strategy to phase out coal within a timeline,” says Mr Varma.
The country is increasing its share of renewable energy and several energy companies in India, including Tata Power and state-owned NTPC, have announced plans not to invest in any new greenfield coal-fired power plants.
“With the capacity of renewable energy growing fast and marginal addition to coal-fired power plant capacity, the share of coal in the country's energy mix would be coming down progressively in the years to come,” says Mr Varma.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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The chef's advice
Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.
“They feel like they can’t buy one cucumber,” he says. “But I can walk into a shop – I feed two people at home – and I’ll walk into a shop and I buy one cucumber, I’ll buy one onion.”
Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.
The chef also advises singletons not get too hung up on “organic”, particularly high-priced varieties that have been flown in from far-flung locales. Local produce is often grown sustainably, and far cheaper, he says.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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BIOSAFETY LABS SECURITY LEVELS
Biosafety Level 1
The lowest safety level. These labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.
Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.
Must have a lock. Access limited. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.
Used as teaching spaces.
Study microorganisms such as Staphylococcus which causes food poisoning.
Biosafety Level 2
These labs deal with pathogens that can be harmful to people and the environment such as Hepatitis, HIV and salmonella.
Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.
Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1
Biosafety Level 3
These labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled. This includes SARS coronavirus, MERS, and yellow fever.
Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.
Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.
Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.
Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.
Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated.
Biosafety Level 4
The highest level for biosafety precautions. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure.
All material must be decontaminated.
Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower.
Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded.
Entrance must be via airlocks.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Arctic Monkeys
Tranquillity Base Hotel Casino (Domino)
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Racecard
7pm: Abu Dhabi - Conditions (PA) Dh 80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.30pm: Dubai - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
8pm: Sharjah - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.30pm: Ajman - Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,200m
9pm: Umm Al Quwain - The Entisar - Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah - Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Fujairah - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
THE%20SPECS
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The%20specs
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Major matches on Manic Monday
Andy Murray (GBR) v Benoit Paire (FRA)
Grigor Dimitrov (BGR) v Roger Federer (SUI)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) v Gilles Muller (LUX)
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) Novak Djokovic (SRB)
INFO
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
