(i) Of late there is lot of public resistance towards the establishment of coal based power plants.…

Question

(i) Of late there is lot of public resistance towards the establishment of coal based power plants. Comment. (ii) Discuss the reasons for the sparse use of renewable resources in India

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Public resistance to coal power plants stems from air pollution, health harm, land loss and displacement, as in the violent 2010-11 Sompeta and Kakarapalli protests in Srikakulam. Renewables remain under-used because of intermittency, limited storage, high upfront costs, land hurdles, import dependence and discoms preferring cheaper coal contracts.

**Introduction**

India’s energy transition faces public resistance to coal power plants due to environmental and social impacts, while renewable energy use remains sparse because of technical, economic, and institutional barriers.

**Governance and Public Opposition to Coal Power**

1. **Environmental and Displacement Issues**: Coal plants cause pollution and health risks, fueling resistance near ==Visakhapatnam==; protests at ==Sompeta and Kakarapalli in Srikakulam== showed fears of losing wetlands, farmland and livelihoods.  
2. **Policy Shifts and Community Activism**: Renewable Purchase Obligations and incentives discourage coal expansion; increased environmental awareness empowers communities to oppose coal projects.

**Challenges in Renewable Energy Deployment**

3. **Intermittency and Financing Barriers**: Solar and wind⟦2⟧ face grid integration challenges; despite the PM Surya Ghar mission⟦3⟧, high upfront costs and limited affordable credit hinder rooftop solar adoption.  
4. **Land and Technology Constraints**: Land acquisition complexities and dependence on imported components, mainly from China, slow renewable deployment and deter investment.

**Economic and Social Dimensions**

5. **Coal’s Role and DISCOMs’ Preferences**: Coal remains crucial for energy security and employment; financially stressed DISCOMs prefer cheaper coal contracts over renewables despite mandates.  
6. **Uneven Renewable Uptake**: Renewables gain traction in rural areas like ==Andhra Pradesh’s rural solar initiatives== but urban adoption lags due to cost and awareness gaps.

**Way Forward**

7. **Infrastructure and Policy Reforms**: Invest in grid storage, simplify land acquisition, promote domestic renewable manufacturing, and expand financing and carbon credit schemes to boost clean energy.

**Conclusion**

Addressing environmental concerns and structural challenges through reforms and innovation is vital for India’s balanced and sustainable energy transition.

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