Requiring electricity utilities to disclose and report their CO2 emissions is imperative for achieving Tamil Nadu’s net zero emission targets. Transparent reporting catalyses informed decision-making among consumers, policymakers, and investors. Policymakers, armed with accurate information about emission sources, volume, and intensities, can formulate targeted regulations and incentives to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future. Establishing emission reduction targets for electricity utilities is pivotal in mitigating climate change. These targets provide a clear roadmap for a transition towards a net zero emission future. Rigorous targets propel utilities to prioritize renewable energy integration, thereby driving systemic change.
The purpose of this note is to introduce CO2 emission tracking for TANGEDCO, currently, the only electricity distribution licensee operating in Tamil Nadu. The information in this report relies on the power plant-wise CO2 database from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA 2022) for the fiscal years spanning from 2017-2018 to 2020-21.
Key findings are:
- In 2022, fossil fuel-derived energy sources constituted 71% of TANGEDCO’s overall energy supply.
- Out of the 25,341 MU increase in power demand between 2017 and 2022, 65% was fulfilled through the generation of energy from fossil fuels.
- TANGEDCO experienced a 33% rise in absolute annual CO2 emissions from 2017 to 2022.
- CO2 emissions from lignite-based power plants more than doubled during this period.
- The weighted average emission factor for TANGEDCO’s power decreased from 0.76 tCO2/MWh to 0.75 tCO2/MWh.
- In the fiscal year 2021-22, the weighted average emission factor of 0.75 tCO2/MWh for TANGEDCO’s power surpassed the national average of 0.72 tCO2/MWh in the same year.
