The transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources presents both opportunities and challenges for India's coal sector. This webinar focuses on the economics and options for decommissioning end-of-life coal mines and thermal power plants, highlighting the potential for repurposing their land and assets. For example, it explores the potential of energy storage as a means of repurposing thermal power plants and will analyze the readiness of coal-based state-owned enterprises, such as Coal India Limited and NTPC, to effectively navigate the energy transition. Drawing on the experiences and best practices of international companies in successfully transitioning away from coal, this webinar will provide invaluable insights and lessons for navigating India’s coal transition.

This webinar is organized by the Centre for Development & Environment Policy at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), as part of the Building Roadmaps for Industrial Decarbonisation and Green Economy (BRIDGE) initiative. BRIDGE aspires to bring experts together to discuss India’s changing energy landscape. The BRIDGE Initiative Webinar Series on Coal Transition comprises four webinars focused on the role of coal in a sustainable energy mix.

Agenda

Welcome

Setting the Context

Mritiunjoy Mohanty, Professor, Economics, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta

Panel Discussion

Sucharita Bhattacharjee, Policy Analyst and Deputy Head, CUTS International – Calcutta Resource Centre

Saarthak Khurana, Manager, Climate Policy Initiative

Shubham Thakare, Manager, Energy Modelling, Vasudha Foundation

Vibhuti Garg, Director, South Asia, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis

Christopher Beaton, Lead, Sustainable Energy Consumption, IISD

Q&A

Closing Remarks

Christopher Beaton, Lead, Sustainable Energy Consumption, IISD

Amidst a global climate-led transition away from coal, it is critical to understand the role coal plays in India’s energy mix. Any discussion on shifting the energy mix away from coal should assess the macro implications of such a transformation.

This webinar offers insights and solutions to assist India in navigating the energy challenges that lie ahead. It examines the role of coal within India's power sector and identifies the changes required to enable a just transition toward clean energy. The webinar features a discussion on the most cost-effective approach to meet India's growing energy demand, with a comparative evaluation of coal and renewable energy in fulfilling the country's electricity needs. It also explores the prospects of coal in India and the implications for its commitments to phase down coal and reach net-zero by 2070.

The event is the first in a webinar series organized by the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta's Centre for Development and Environment Policy (CDEP) and International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) as part of CDEP's Building Roadmaps for Industrial Decarbonisation and Green Economy (BRIDGE) initiative. BRIDGE aspires to bring together experts to discuss India’s changing energy landscape. The BRIDGE Initiative Webinar Series on Coal Transition comprises four webinars on aspects related to coal and India’s energy transition. The webinar series is a curtain raiser to a forthcoming (2023) CDEP volume: The Role of Coal in a Sustainable Energy Mix for India: A Wide-Angle View (Routledge).

Agenda

Welcome

Deepak Sharma, Policy Analyst, IISD

Setting the Context

Runa Sarkar, Professor, IIM Calcutta

Panel Discussion

Sunil Dahiya, South Asia Analyst, Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air

Tirthankar Mandal, Head, Energy Policy, World Resources Institute India

Sambit Basu, Director (Programs) and Chief Energy Economist, Power Foundation of India

Vigya Sharma, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, University of Queensland

Q&A

Closing Remarks

Mritiunjoy Mohanty, Professor, Economics, IIM Calcutta