India is burning more coal to keep the lights on as extreme heat drives electricity demand higher. The world's third-largest carbon emitter relies heavily on coal-fired power plants, which now run at increased capacity. Regional tensions also factor in. Disruptions related to the Iran conflict squeeze global energy supplies, leaving India with fewer alternatives to meet its growing power needs.
The heat wave forces air conditioning use up across the country, straining the grid. Coal remains India's cheapest and most readily available fuel source. While renewable energy projects expand, they cannot yet replace coal's baseload power generation at the scale India requires.
This trend conflicts with India's climate commitments. The country pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2070, but burning more coal moves in the opposite direction. International pressure mounts as India's emissions rise.
Energy experts warn that reliance on coal locks India into fossil fuels for years. Higher temperatures driven by climate change create a vicious cycle. More heat demands more power. More power means more coal burning. More coal burning generates more heat.
India must accelerate renewable energy deployment and battery storage to break this pattern. Without rapid infrastructure changes, coal consumption will continue rising alongside global temperatures.