Mahagenco yet to install equipment to cut SO2 emission

Nagpur: Even though the ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) had made installation of flue-gas desulphurizers (FGDs) compulsory for three 660MW units or Mahagenco’s Koradi power plant, the generation company is yet to install them. FGDs reduce amount of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in the plant emission and thus prevent acid rain.
Mahagenco had also assured National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it would install FGDs in Koradi. It had floated expression of interest (EoI) for FGD on one unit but later abandoned the project.

When contacted, Koradi chief engineer Rajkumar Taskar said, “We have set up a three-member committee under an executive director for studying the issue. The committee is expected to submit its report next week. A decision will be taken on the basis of it.”

Even as Mahagenco is not installing pollution control equipment for the three existing units, the state government has cleared its proposal to install two more 660MW units at the plant. According to local BJP leaders, new units use super-critical technology, which does not cause pollution.

In July, 2016, Mahagenco had sought time from MoEFCC, to defer the installation of FGDs till December, 2017. Its request was granted. However, over 16 months have passed since the expiry of the deadline and it is still ‘studying’ the issue.

Mahagenco is reluctant to install FGDs because they cost over Rs400 crore and will increase cost of generation. The company officials are, however, not bothered about effects of pollution in the area around Koradi.

A senior Mahagenco official, commenting on the FGDs, said, “Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had measured SO2 emission levels in the area around Koradi. It was found to be within stipulated limits. You have to use limestone and gypsum in FGDs and they consume lot of water. In fact FGDs themselves cause pollution. They have been installed in Vindhyachal power station of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and have been ineffective.”

The official further said that research was going on using other equipments to reduce SO2 emissions. “The committee will study them and choose the best solution,” he added.

Sunil Dahiya, clean air campaigner of NGO Greenpeace, slammed Mahagenco for its delaying tactics. “When the company knows that it has to install FGDs, wasting any more time will only cause health hazards for the people living nearby. It should also not install any more units as the country already has surplus coal-fired thermal capacity and wasting public money on new units doesn’t make sense. These units damage the environment and endanger the health of citizens,” he said.