why India refuses to give up coal?

Like every year with the onset of winter, New Delhi, India, suffocates. On the weekend of Saturday, November 13, the fine particulate matter rate exceeded the recommended limit by 20 times. The city is one of the most polluted in the world. “People have respiratory diseases, lung problems, asthma”, testify a resident. At the national level, the situation is no better, since India is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases on the planet: 70% of its electricity comes from coal.

However, the country refuses to give up its exploitation. “Our energy needs are so gigantic that if we wanted to use only renewable energies, we would need space and we cannot afford it. We lack funding, too “, to analyse Uppinder Kumar, energy advisor for Essel Mining & Industries Limited. If India cannot do without coal, it still wants to reduce its consumption. It is committed to ensuring that renewable energies can meet half of its electricity needs by 2030.