THE CRUX OF THE DILEMMA: INDIA

Could somebody say something to these folks about global warming? Hey, Al…

Analysis: India deregulates coal sector
Kushal Jeena, January 10, 2007 (UPI)
- India has decided to deregulate its coal industry to encourage private investment and solve the coal production problem, which is not keeping pace with country's rising energy demands.

- India heavily relies on coal -- it's most plentiful energy source -- to power the country and is a major global producer…But as the economy of the second most populated country of the world grows, so does its demand for power…
- Coal experts expressed serious concern over the fate of India's coal sector and recommended the government act immediately to save the industry by deregulating it and inviting private participation…Half of the country's power generation plants are currently running at half capacity and in need of a coal supply…

- Coal is the main source for 70 percent of India's power generation. India's economy is booming, increasing the demand for power and the need for more coal.
- It is world's third largest coal producer after China and United States…
- With the initiation of the deregulation in the coal sector, international and domestic power companies have shown interests in investing in Indian coal sector…
- The government's move to deregulate the industry was welcomed by the country's private power majors like Reliance Industries, Essar and Tata Power…