The Environment Ministry has amended regulations permitting thermal power plants within 10 kilometer's of the National Capital Region (NCR) and in cities with more than 10 lakh population to comply with new emission and water consumption standards by the end of 2022, according to the notification.
Thermal power plants (TPPs) are to be categorized in three categories based on their location by a task force that will be constituted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
TPP units established in non-attainment cities (cities that have consistently failed to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards) and those within 10 kilometer's of critically polluted areas are required to fulfil the emission standards by December 31, 2023. The CPCB has identified 124 cities as non-attainment cities.
TPPs outside the areas mentioned above have to install emission control systems and cut down water consumption by December 31, 2024, according to the notification.
TPPs proclaimed to retire before December 31, 2025, are not required to meet the specified standards subject to submission of an undertaking to the CPCB and the CEA (Central Electricity Authority) for exemption on the basis of retirement", the notification said.
The Environment Ministry had revised the water consumption limit and emission standards, intending to minimize pollution, for particulate matter (PM10), Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen for TPPs in December 2015, and the deadline to install emission control systems were kept in December 2017.
Due to implementation issues and challenges The deadline was postponed to December 2022 for all power stations in the country except power stations in the national capital region (NCR) which were required to meet the revised standards by December 2019.
Recently, due to many reasons, including the coronavirus pandemic and import restrictions the Ministry of Power requested the Environment Ministry to extend the deadline for fulfilling emission standards for all thermal plants from 2022 to 2024.
As per the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report, coal-fired TPPs responsible for more than 45 per cent of SO2; 30 per cent of NOx; of the total pollution from sector 60 per cent is the emissions of particulate matter and more than 80 per cent of mercury, in the country. And also responsible for 70 per cent of the total fresh water withdrawal by all industries.
What Are The New Standards?
The new norms were introduced because of the sharp increase in pollution load from the sector with an immense rise in coal-based capacity in the past ten to15 years. India, which has the world’s fourth-highest coal-based capacity.
New norms for coal-fired TPPs will cut down emissions of particulate matter by 65 percent, Sulphur dioxide (SO2) by 85 percent and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 70 percent and ensure less water will be used by power plants over the next decade.
The thermal power plant is to be categorized in three categories namely those: -
• Established before 31st December 2003
• Established after 2003 up to 31st December 2016 and,
• Established after 31st December 2016.
The new norms are aimed at reducing the emission of PM (particulate matter), SO2 (Sulphur dioxide), NOx (nitrogen oxide). Which will help in bringing about an improvement in the Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) in and around thermal power plants. Restricting the use of water in the thermal power plant will lead to water preservation as the thermal power plant is a water-intensive industry. This will also lead to a decrease in energy requirement for a drawl of water.
Must Read - The New Standard List moef.gov.in
Edited By - Vanshu Verma
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