The new coal linkage policy and push for nuclear power underscore India’s changing energy policy—from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Linkages are awarded to projects which do not have captive coal mines and need to source coal commercially from state-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL). Not only do these two key decisions signal the government’s commitment to good governance, the accent on nuclear power emphasizes its commitment to move away from fossil fuels. “Coal linkages, for IPPs (independent power producers) having PPA based on imported coal, shall be made available through a transparent bidding process,” the statement added. Earlier, the process of selecting companies that were assured coal supply was as subjective as the process for allotting captive coal blocks.

Source: Mint May 17, 2017 12:41 UTC