What’s killing India’s giant coal power plants?

India’s giant coal-fuelled thermal power plants are steadily running out of steam.

Over a decade ago, a clutch of massive power stations—dubbed ultra mega power projects (UMPPs)—were touted as the solution to fix India’s electricity deficit. But hamstrung by bad planning, over-enthusiastic power companies, and unexpected regulations in Indonesia, these grand projects have mostly crumbled.

And now, sluggish economic growth and a dramatic drop in the price of renewable energy, are turning out to be another kick in the guts for coal-based power generation. Read more…