Coal: ‘Black-Gold’ or ‘Black-Poison’?

News Desk

Islamabad: In a world grappling with the mounting challenges of climate change, the use of coal as a primary energy source has faced heightened scrutiny. This comes as Renewables First, an Islamabad-based think tank, releases the final chapter of its groundbreaking series, “Busting the Myths,” aimed at debunking arguments favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy sources.

Renewables First embarked on a mission to dispel myths surrounding renewable energy through rigorous evidence-based research, commencing with the examination of misconceptions related to baseload, the gas transition, and land efficiency in wind energy.

As the final chapter of their series is unveiled, it continues to deconstruct arguments supporting fossil fuels, underscoring the urgency for Pakistan to adopt and embrace renewable energy solutions.

In the most recent installment, the focus is on coal’s diminishing role in global electricity generation and its increasing dependence on developing countries, with Pakistan being a prominent case. This report is dedicated to unraveling the common misconceptions that surround the coal industry and advocates for a transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy alternatives within Pakistan.Myth 1: The belief that Thar coal is the cheapest energy source is debunked, as recent developments in renewable energy have significantly lowered costs, making coal more expensive than solar and wind energy.

Myth 2: The notion that Thar coal can fulfill Pakistan’s energy security needs is challenged. True energy security involves not only having indigenous resources but also ensuring their consistent and sustainable availability, a criterion that coal may not meet in the face of declining international investment and climate change concerns.

Myth 3: The idea that Pakistan can entirely transition its power plants from imported to local coal is questioned due to significant differences in coal quality and infrastructure challenges, making it impractical and financially challenging.

Myth 4: The belief that coal-to-gas and coal-to-liquid technologies are cleaner is disputed, with challenges highlighted, including financial viability, the need for subsidies, and past experiences revealing technical and environmental hurdles. International trade dynamics, such as carbon border adjustments, add further challenges.

Myth 5: The perspective that the coal industry will significantly contribute to the socio-economic growth of the local population is countered, emphasizing the health and environmental impacts that may outweigh short-term benefits.