Odisha’s Angul to plan transition to green energy
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Environment
- Published
26th Aug, 2022
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Context
Researchers have urged policymakers to switch to green energy in Odisha’s Angul – one of India’s largest coal producing districts – before power grade coal reserves are exhausted.
Current status
- Angul currently accounts for 12% of India’s and 56% of Odisha’s coal production.
- The coal production in Angul is expected to increase nearly three times in the next 10 years, reaching over 300 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2033.
- The sector has given direct employment to 1,68,000 — nearly 69% of them are informal.
Need
- After 2035, the district should move to green energy and industries, based on growth of the renewable energy sector and technology advancements and viability. Alternatives that can be considered are:
- Renewable-based electricity
- Hydrogen-based steel and urea production
- Production of green aluminium using renewable energy
- Enforcing circular economy practices
- About 33,000 hectares of land will be available from closure of coal mines and power plants over the next 3-4 decades.
About Angul
- Angul is situated in the center of the State and also regarded as the heart of Odisha.
- It gives the highest revenue to the state exchequer.
- It is also one of the most advanced districts of the State.
- The largest coal mine MCL (Mahanadi Coalfields Limited) is situated in the district.
- Apart from this industrial scenario, Angul is also famous for Satkosia gorge, beautiful natural dense forest, hills, rivers (Mahanadi, Brhamani) etc.
- The land is fertile due to the flowing river Mahanadi & Bramhani and its tributaries.
- Rengali Reservoir on the river Brahmani also helped irrigation facilities not only in Angul but also other districts like Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jajpur and Keonjhar.
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