Saturday 9 February 2013

Steps to improve the Quality of Coal

Ministry of Coal is taking all steps to improve the energy efficiency programmes including improving the quality of coal supplies to various consumers. The move of the Government towards adopting Gross Calorific Value (GCV) based grading and pricing of thermal coals in place of the earlier Useful Heat Value (UHV) based system is a step forward towards this direction. The coal companies are also taking different steps for proper crushing, sizing and preparation of coal for ensuring consistency in quality of supplies. However, we need to enhance use of washed coal particularly for power sector which is consuming almost 70% of the country’s coal production.

We are all aware that coal is playing a critical role in supporting our energy plans and the situation is not going to change in any significant manner in quite some time into the future. However, the fuel supply is getting adversely affected due to production constraints on various accounts. While, Government is seized of the issues, efforts are being made at different levels to find amicable solutions and make available the desired level of supplies of coal with particular emphasis on power sector.

India is also closely following the global trends in adopting energy efficient technologies and the policy of Government to have 100% super-critical technology based plants for additional capacity from ‘13th Five Year Plan’ onwards in itself will bear testimony of the efforts in this direction. Having entered into international protocols for addressing climate change issues, it is all the more important for the country like India to address all areas of energy efficiency improvements irrespective of the sectors.

Appropriate pricing of fuel is an important area in avoiding the wasteful utilization of scarce resources. Having said that it is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to work towards value addition in meeting the aspirations of all the stakeholders.

The market mechanisms and policy prescriptions need to be evolved in this direction such that the industry does not neglect the critical energy efficiency improvement. However, there are issues like cost of new technologies vis-a-vis availability of resources.

Our efforts have all along been in convincing the international fora for helping developing countries including India in adopting such high efficient technologies at affordable prices. Here comes the role of developed world that are equally responsible in promoting such technologies for the betterment of the mankind.

Investment in R&D is equally important. The low carbon growth is the answer and we need to focus on such areas in a well planned manner for addressing the issues related to emissions.

To carry forward the objective we need to adopt best international practices in all areas of operation of industry and strive for innovation and encourage voluntary actions by the industry in this direction.

Ministry of Coal has been taking steps to improve the energy efficiency programmes including improving the quality of coal supplies for consistency of quality of coal being despatched to various consumers.

The move of the Government towards adopting Gross Calorific Value (GCV) based grading and pricing of thermal coals in place of the earlier Useful Heat Value (UHV) based system is a step forward to improve the quality of coal as well as efficient use of coal in the country.

In this direction, coal companies are also taking different steps for proper crushing, sizing and preparation of coal for ensuring consistency in quality of supplies. However, we need to enhance use of washed coal particularly for power sector which is consuming almost 70% of the country’s coal production.

Awareness programmes, training and demonstration are critical in carrying forward such areas in the larger interest of the country. I am sure that the experts gathered here would focus on all the relevant areas in this direction and help in coming out with recommendations for consideration of the Government.”

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