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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Green energy transition can unlock Rs5.4L cr investment for Vidarbha: Report
Mumbai: India's first regional energy transition plan for Vidarbha has suggested that around 25 million tonnes of carbon emissions could be saved if the region's coal-based mining and energy economy is replaced with the greener one comprising renewable and forests. Such a saving will be equivalent to removing 12.5 million or 1.25 crore polluting cars from the roads, which is equal to one-third of total vehicles (3.77 crores) in Maharashtra, an environmental think-tank has said. A green transition in Chandrapur-Nagpur-Yavatmal (CNY), Maharashtra's coal energy hub, can potentially unlock Rs5.4 lakh crore investment, 3.4 lakh jobs and 4% regional GDP growth by 2035, finds a report by iFOREST, an international forum for environment, sustainability and technology. The CNY region, responsible for 100% of Maharashtra's coal production and half its coal-based thermal power capacity, is the state's energy backbone. With resource exhaustion triggering coal decline by 50% in the next decade, the repurposing of closed and retiring coal mines can propel CNY into Maharashtra's green industry and energy hub, the report said. According to Dr Chandra Bhushan, CEO of iFOREST, saving 25 million tonnes of carbon emissions would have a long-lasting effect as it would mean removing 1.25 crore cars from roads permanently. In a move to secure India's clean energy future, iFOREST, in collaboration with Maharashtra govt's Department of Environment and Climate Change, released the first-ever Regional Just Transition Investment Plan recently, focused on the CNY region. The 10-year blueprint identifies three Economic Development Nodes — Bhadrawati–Wani, Rajura–Chandrapur, and Umred—which can together repurpose 6,000 hectares of coal mine land into green energy and industrial hubs. Highest solar potential found in the CNY region is expected to generate 37 GW of solar energy opportunities. According to a report, Rs33,400 crore from public investments, coal companies and power utilities can fund land reclamation and repurposing. Maharashtra chief secretary Sujata Saunik, said, "Our focus should be to attract investment for development of renewable energy projects and green industrial clusters. We also need to expand electrification from personal vehicles to commercial transportation. This transition will be driven by policy frameworks that unlock green finance and support innovation. Maharashtra has consistently led from the front in adopting progressive policies for climate resilience and sustainability. " Praveen Pardeshi, the chief economic advisor to the chief minister, and CEO, MITRA said, "Forty percent of Maharashtra's energy is used by farmers to pump water for irrigation. Moving them to solar pumps is our biggest ongoing success story. We need innovative nudge policies and behaviour change incentives to support a transition of this scale from traditional energy sources."
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Energy hub in Chandrapur-Nagpur-Yavatmal can generate 3.4 lakh jobs: report
A green transition in Chandrapur-Nagpur-Yavatmal (CNY), Maharashtra's energy hub, can unlock ₹5.4 lakh crore investment, 3.4 lakh jobs and 4% regional GDP growth, a report by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST), an environmental think tank, claimed on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) in Mumbai. iFOREST released the Just Transition Investment Plan for the CNY region, which accounts for 100% of the state's coal production and half its coal-based power. The report stated that the CNY region will witness a decline in coal production by 50% in the next decade due to resource exhaustion. As a solution, the closed and retiring coal mines can be converted into Maharashtra's green industry and energy hub. This blueprint will help turn the traditional energy cluster into a green investment destination by developing strategic economic nodes and unlocking the region's renewable energy and industrial potential. We have to look towards the alternative, which talks about economy and environment,' said Dr. Chandra Bhushan, CEO of iFOREST, while speaking at the conference held in Mumbai for releasing the Just Transition Investment Plan report. 'The 10-year blueprint identifies three Economic Development Nodes—Bhadrawati–Wani, Rajura–Chandrapur, and Umrer- spanning over 6,000 hectares of coal mine land that can be used for developing green energy and industrial hubs, as it has the highest solar energy opportunities—37 GW. For land reclamation and repurposing, it will require ₹33,400 crore funds from public investments, coal companies and power utilities,' mentions the report. Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra, Sujata Saunik highlighted that the focus should be to attract investment for renewable energy projects and green industrial clusters, while green transition should be 'far-reaching and fair'. Meanwhile, Chief Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister and CEO of MITRA, Praveen Pardeshi, emphasised making farmers independent as they are heavily dependent on electricity for water. '40 %of Maharashtra's energy is used by farmers to pump water for irrigation. Moving them to solar pumps will be significant. We need innovative nudge policies and behaviour change incentives to support a transition of this scale from traditional energy sources,' said Mr. Pardeshi.
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Business Standard
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Industrial boilers behind 7% of India's greenhouse gas emissions: Report
Boilers in India's factories release 182 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, which is about 7 per cent of the country's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and over a quarter of all emissions from industries, according to a new report published on Wednesday. The report also said these boilers emit more particulate matter (PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) than the entire automobile sector in India, primarily due to weak emission standards. Industries such as food processing, chemicals and textiles depend on steam produced by process boilers to operate. The findings were released at the 'National Conclave on Greening Industrial Boilers in India', organised by the environment think tank iFOREST, in partnership with the Central government's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the labour department of the Uttar Pradesh government. To reduce pollution and help India meet its net zero targets, iFOREST has suggested launching a "Green Boiler Mission" to promote cleaner energy sources. There are around 45,200 process and co-generation boilers in India which produce around 1.26 billion tonnes of steam per year, said Chandra Bhushan, the CEO of iFOREST. Eight states account for two-thirds of these boilers. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are the top five. The average age of these boilers is 18 years and nearly 20 per cent are 25 years or older. This raises concerns about their safety and efficiency, the report said. Bhushan said that PM emissions from these boilers add up to 5.2 million tonnes, more than what comes from the transport sectory. Steam produced by boilers is responsible for 9 per cent of industrial PM, 8 per cent of SO2 and 17 per cent of nitrogen oxide emissions. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are the tope three polluters. The study found that about 40 per cent of the installed boiler capacity runs on fossil fuels like coal, gas or oil. These account for nearly 37 per cent of all boilers. Biomass (including bagasse), though considered carbon-neutral, is used in nearly half of the steam capacity and also causes air pollution. Smaller boilers (up to 2 tonnes per hour capacity) are mostly powered by fossil fuels, especially coal. Coal-fired boilers played a key role in sparking the industrial revolution in the 18th century, Bhushan said. "The decarbonization of boilers is now essential to unleashing a new industrial revolution powered by cleaner, greener technologies. It is not just a climate imperative, it is also an economic opportunity to build a green economy and provide green jobs. We must launch a Green Boiler Mission to grab this opportunity," he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar said the report provides a clear path to reduce emissions while ensuring economic growth. "With the right mix of targeted policies, technological shifts and government-industry collaboration, Uttar Pradesh can drive emissions reductions while enhancing energy efficiency, safety and industrial competitiveness," he said.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Around 7 pc of India's greenhouse gas emissions from industrial boilers: Report
Boilers in India's factories release 182 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, which is about 7 per cent of the country's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and over a quarter of all emissions from industries, according to a new report published on Wednesday. The report also said these boilers emit more particulate matter (PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) than the entire automobile sector in India, primarily due to weak emission standards. Industries such as food processing, chemicals and textiles depend on steam produced by process boilers to operate. The findings were released at the 'National Conclave on Greening Industrial Boilers in India', organised by the environment think tank iFOREST, in partnership with the Central government's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the labour department of the Uttar Pradesh government. To reduce pollution and help India meet its net zero targets, iFOREST has suggested launching a " Green Boiler Mission " to promote cleaner energy sources. There are around 45,200 process and co-generation boilers in India which produce around 1.26 billion tonnes of steam per year, said Chandra Bhushan, the CEO of iFOREST. Live Events Eight states account for two-thirds of these boilers. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are the top five. The average age of these boilers is 18 years and nearly 20 per cent are 25 years or older. This raises concerns about their safety and efficiency, the report said. Bhushan said that PM emissions from these boilers add up to 5.2 million tonnes, more than what comes from the transport sectory. Steam produced by boilers is responsible for 9 per cent of industrial PM, 8 per cent of SO2 and 17 per cent of nitrogen oxide emissions. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are the tope three polluters. The study found that about 40 per cent of the installed boiler capacity runs on fossil fuels like coal, gas or oil. These account for nearly 37 per cent of all boilers. Biomass (including bagasse), though considered carbon-neutral, is used in nearly half of the steam capacity and also causes air pollution. Smaller boilers (up to 2 tonnes per hour capacity) are mostly powered by fossil fuels, especially coal. Coal-fired boilers played a key role in sparking the industrial revolution in the 18th century, Bhushan said. "The decarbonization of boilers is now essential to unleashing a new industrial revolution powered by cleaner, greener technologies. It is not just a climate imperative, it is also an economic opportunity to build a green economy and provide green jobs. We must launch a Green Boiler Mission to grab this opportunity," he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar said the report provides a clear path to reduce emissions while ensuring economic growth. "With the right mix of targeted policies, technological shifts and government-industry collaboration, Uttar Pradesh can drive emissions reductions while enhancing energy efficiency, safety and industrial competitiveness," he said.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Around 7% of India's greenhouse gas emissions from industrial boilers: Report
New Delhi, Boilers in India's factories release 182 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, which is about 7 per cent of the country's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and over a quarter of all emissions from industries, according to a new report published on Wednesday. The report also said these boilers emit more particulate matter (PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) than the entire automobile sector in India, primarily due to weak emission standards. Industries such as food processing, chemicals and textiles depend on steam produced by process boilers to operate. The findings were released at the 'National Conclave on Greening Industrial Boilers in India', organised by the environment think tank iFOREST, in partnership with the Central government's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the labour department of the Uttar Pradesh government. To reduce pollution and help India meet its net zero targets, iFOREST has suggested launching a " Green Boiler Mission " to promote cleaner energy sources. There are around 45,200 process and co-generation boilers in India which produce around 1.26 billion tonnes of steam per year, said Chandra Bhushan, the CEO of iFOREST. Eight states account for two-thirds of these boilers. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are the top five. The average age of these boilers is 18 years and nearly 20 per cent are 25 years or older. This raises concerns about their safety and efficiency, the report said. Bhushan said that PM emissions from these boilers add up to 5.2 million tonnes, more than what comes from the transport sectory. Steam produced by boilers is responsible for 9 per cent of industrial PM, 8 per cent of SO2 and 17 per cent of nitrogen oxide emissions. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are the tope three polluters. The study found that about 40 per cent of the installed boiler capacity runs on fossil fuels like coal, gas or oil. These account for nearly 37 per cent of all boilers. Biomass (including bagasse), though considered carbon-neutral, is used in nearly half of the steam capacity and also causes air pollution. Smaller boilers (up to 2 tonnes per hour capacity) are mostly powered by fossil fuels, especially coal. Coal-fired boilers played a key role in sparking the industrial revolution in the 18th century, Bhushan said. "The decarbonization of boilers is now essential to unleashing a new industrial revolution powered by cleaner, greener technologies. It is not just a climate imperative, it is also an economic opportunity to build a green economy and provide green jobs. We must launch a Green Boiler Mission to grab this opportunity," he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar said the report provides a clear path to reduce emissions while ensuring economic growth. "With the right mix of targeted policies, technological shifts and government-industry collaboration, Uttar Pradesh can drive emissions reductions while enhancing energy efficiency, safety and industrial competitiveness," he said.
