A new study warns that a potential “super El Niño” could significantly strain India’s electricity system and slow the country’s shift away from coal. Bloomberg and Financial Post report that the study finds India’s power grid would be more affected than other major electricity networks globally. Business Standard and the India outlet Economic Times also highlight the risk that higher temperatures and changes in weather tied to El Niño could increase electricity demand while reducing output from key low-carbon sources.
The study referenced by multiple outlets, according to Business Standard, connects El Niño effects with lower wind and reduced hydropower generation, which can create a supply gap. To meet electricity demand, the report says that the gap would likely be filled by additional coal-fired generation, potentially leading to higher coal reliance. Business Standard also notes that India’s generation mix remains dominated by thermal power, even as policy targets call for coal’s share to decline over coming years.
While the outlets vary in emphasis, they converge on the core point: a strong El Niño is expected to challenge India’s clean energy transition by increasing the likelihood of greater coal generation to avoid power shortages.
