Power sector accounted for 50% of State’s CO2 emissions in 2020

Goa largely depends on coal thermal power plants to meet its electricity requirement; but it is startling to note that the data released by the State government revealed that the sector was responsible for around 50 per cent of total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the State in 2020.

The emission, which is likely to drop down to 22 per cent by 2050, also takes into account the power generation that takes place in coal thermal plants of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, to fulfil the coastal State’s requirement.

Further, in 2020, Goa’s per capita CO2 emissions were around 3.02 tonnes per year, much higher than the national average of 1.9 tonnes per year. This was revealed through data released by the State government.

“It is observed that in 2020, the electricity sector of the State was responsible for around 50.4 per cent of total CO2 emissions of the State. By 2050, emissions from the electricity sector will drop to 22.4 per cent only. That’s because the State’s power requirement will also go up in the next two-and-half decades,” the government said.

“Of the total 50 per cent, the coal thermal power plants contribute half of their total emissions. These plants generate power for us and hence we need to take into account the emissions by them,” sources said.

Goa’s firm allocation of power, excluding renewable energy, is 646.11 MW at generating source. The net availability considering transmission losses and auxiliaries consumption at the State border is 580 MW. To meet the shortfall, the Electricity Department Goa (EDG) buys electricity from the open market through energy exchanges, regularly about 100-150 MW.

State’s power demand during peak hour is likely to touch 1000MW by 2030, with further requirement projection yet to be done.

The data further revealed that the transport sector contributed around 42 per cent emissions in 2020. “By 2050, the transport sector emissions share is likely to increase to 62 per cent. Emissions from the industry sector are expected to increase from 4 per cent in 2020 to 13 per cent in 2050,” it said further.

“It’s critical to urgently adopt cleaner powering technologies. Goa aims at going 100 per cent renewable across all its sectors by 2050 with net zero emission,” sources said.

According to the government data, in terms of the per capita emissions, it is estimated that Goa will be around two times higher than the national average of per capita emissions.

“In 2020, Goa’s per capita CO2 emission was around 3.02 tonnes per year where India’s average is around 1.8 tonnes per year. Due to increasing levels of energy consumption especially transport fuels and industrial energy, per capita emissions of Goa could go up to 4.67 tonnes per year by 2050,” it stated.