Installation of Flue Gas De-sulphurisation (FGD) equipment in thermal power plants
Ministry of Power
Posted On:
08 FEB 2024 2:49PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy has informed about the installation of Flue Gas De-sulphurisation (FGD) equipment in thermal power plants.
All Thermal Power Plants are required to comply with the emission norms as notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and directions given by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from time to time.
Thermal Power Plants located in the states of the eastern region, including Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Jharkhand, are in the various stages of up-gradation and installation of emission control equipment as per the timelines specified vide MoEF&CC Notification dated 05.09.2022.
For compliance to Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission norms, Thermal Power Plants are installing FGD equipment, for which the timelines for compliance (for non-retiring units) as specified by MoEF&CC are as follows:
|
Sl.No. |
Category |
Location/Area |
Timelines |
|
1 |
Category A |
Within 10 km radius of National Capital Region (NCR) or cities having million plus population (as per 2011 census of India) |
Up to 31st December, 2024 |
|
2 |
Category B |
Within 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities (as defined by CPCB) |
Up to 31st December, 2025 |
|
3 |
Category C |
Other than those included in category A and B |
Up to 31st December, 2026 |
For non-compliance beyond the specified timelines, MoEF&CC has prescribed following environment compensation on the non-retiring thermal power plants:
|
Non-Compliant operation beyond the Timeline |
Environmental Compensation (Rs. per unit electricity generated) |
|
0-180 days |
0.20 |
|
181-365 days |
0.30 |
|
366 days and beyond |
0.40 |
The compliance of emission norms is being monitored by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in the States. Central Electricity Authority (CEA) assists CPCB in monitoring the progress of installation of FGD by the TPPs. The monitoring is done for all stages of FGD installation viz; Feasibility Study Started, Feasibility Study Completed, Tender Specifications Made, NIT Issued, Bids Awarded and FGD Commissioned. The time limit for Thermal Power Plants to comply with SO2 emission parameters has not lapsed.
This information has been given by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh, in a written reply to a question, in Lok Sabha today, February 8, 2024.
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PIB DELHI | Alok Mishra / Dheep Joy Mampilly