Nagpur: The Union Ministry of Power has expressed its inability to install flue gas desulphurization (FGD) units in thermal power plants within the deadlines set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) due to several constraints. It has sought an extension of 36 months.
The MoEFCC, through a notification dated September 5, 2022, stipulated timelines for thermal power plants to comply with sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission norms, with stringent environmental compensation in case of non-compliance.As per the MoEFCC, thermal power plants categorised as A, B and C (based on the plant's location) are required to be SO2 norm compliant by December 2024, December 2025, and December 2026, respectively. The average time taken for FGD system installation after the award is around 36-40 months, depending upon the vendor/site.
Koradi and Khaparkheda plants fall in the A category and have a December deadline. Koradi has three 600MW units installed during 2015-16 while Khaparkheda has one 500MW unit. A petition regarding FGD installations at these power plants is also pending with the NGT as well as the high court.
In its letter to the MoEFCC, the power ministry stated that, at present, out of 600 units, FGD systems are already installed in 44 units (22,590 MW), and bids are awarded in 233 units (1,02,040 MW). "However, significant constraints have been reported by thermal power plants regarding the installation of FGD systems. The Central Electricity Authority has also assessed reasons for the delay in FGD system installation. These constraints are primarily related to limited domestic manufacturing capacity due to a limited vendor base, dependence on imports (around 17% of items, such as agitators and fans, are imported), and a sudden growth in demand to meet the stipulated timelines," it said.
Activist Leena Budhe said all thermal power plants are required to comply with the emission norms as notified by the MoEFCC and directions given by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from time to time. "The deadlines keep on extending without any anti-pollution measure. The environmental clearances are given on the condition that FGD units would be installed. Two more new 660 units are proposed at Koradi. We don't know if FGD units will be installed for them too. Seeking an extension is nothing but a technique to dilute the norms," she said.