MOSCOW: The Indian government plans to create domestic coal reserves of up to 2.5 billion tonnes by 2030-32, and then suspend coal production for 10 years, Sputnik quoted the Business Standard news portal report.
According to the Indian Coal Ministry’s estimates, coal demand will range from 1.5 to 1.8 billion tonnes by 2030, the report said, adding that additional stockpiles of 0.5 to 1 billion tonnes are planned to meet the sudden surge in demand.
At the same time, the ministry is considering the impact on coal demand if renewable energy (RE) sources fail to meet power demand.
“Even if renewable energy touches the targeted 500 gigawatts by 2030, the base energy source would be required,” a senior official in the ministry was quoted as saying by the news portal.
The ministry also expects about 30 per cent of all coal produced will come from private and commercial mines, the report added. – BERNAMA-SPUTNIK
