Expert: Alternatives needed for energy, urban expansion

Nagpur: “Banks financing energy projects are becoming socially and environmentally responsible. Loans should not be given to projects which cause displacement, health and environmental impacts,” said Amitanshu Verma, senior researcher at New Delhi-based Center for Financial Accountability (CFA).Verma was speaking at the community-level capacity building workshop on Thermal Power Plant, Coal Issues and Energy Landscape, which was organized at MLA Hostel over the last two days. Organised by CFA, Centre for Sustainable Development (CFSD), and Bargi Bandh Visthapit aur Prabhavit Sangh, the workshop focused on emerging trends in the energy landscape and the importance of just and equitable energy transition.Speaking on India’s energy landscape and the role of energy in human society, Anitha Sampath from CFA highlighted the detrimental effects on environment, health and climate while also elaborating on the advantages and disadvantages of renewable sources of energy. “India's fossil fuel reserves are limited. Known reserves of oil and natural gas can last up to 18 and 26 years respectively, depending on current reserves and production rates. The country has huge coal reserves (84 billion tonnes) which can last for about 200 years. Increasing ash content of Indian coal from an increasing number of thermal power plants as well as associated greenhouse gas emissions are major concerns,” said Sampath.Stating that measuring and monitoring the impact of large energy projects on environment and public health is imperative, founder of CFSD Leena Buddhe said, “We conducted a study in 2021 in 21 affected villages around Khaparkheda and Koradi thermal power plants. Water and dust samples were taken from 25 locations and quality of water in these villages was found to be quite poor. Due to this, the health of the people of these 21 villages is affected.”Forty people from the communities affected by thermal power plants at MP’s Jhabua, Gadarwara, and Chutka Nuclear Project, Today Energy, and Maharashtra’s Koradi, Khaparkheda, Chandrapur, and Mauda thermal power plants participated in the workshop and shared their experiences.