Lok Sabha Question No. 382 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-08
Subject: Pollution caused by Thermal Power Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.382 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2022

## POLLUTION CAUSED BY THERMAL POWER PLANTS

382.   SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware about pollution caused by thermal power plants in Delhi;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the new norms for thermal plants focus on reducing SO2 emissions and reducing water intake and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps being taken to move away from coal based thermal power to renewable energy in Delhi?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (c) : All Thermal Power Plants are required to comply with the emission norms and specific water consumption limit 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.    MoEF&CC  vide  notification  dated  05.09.2022  has  specified following  timelines  for  non-retiring  Thermal  Power  Plants  for  compliance  to  emission norms:

| Sl. No.   | Category   | Location/Area                                                                                                               | Timelines for compliance            | Timelines for compliance   |
|-----------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------------------|
|           |            |                                                                                                                             | Parameters other than SO2 emissions | SO2 emissions              |
| 1         | Category A | Within 10 km radius of National Capital Region (NCR) or cities having million plus population (as per 2011 census of India) | Upto 31st December 2022             | Upto 31st December 2024    |
| 2         | Category B | Within 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities (as defined by CPCB)                              | Upto 31st December 2023             | Upto 31st December 2025    |
| 3         | Category C | Other than those included in category A and B                                                                               | Upto 31st December 2024             | Upto 31st December 2026    |

- There are no thermal power plants in operation within the boundary of Delhi or within 10 km radius of the boundary. (d) :    Steps taken to promote renewable energy in the Country including Delhi are: · Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route. · Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025. · Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30, · Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to Renewable Energy (RE) developers for installation of RE projects at large scale. · Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc. · Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power. · Standard  Bidding  Guidelines  for  tariff  based  competitive  bidding  process  for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects. · Notification of Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022. · Notification  of  'The  electricity  (Late  Payment  Surcharge  and  related  matters) Rules 2002 (LPS rules) in order to ensure timely payment to generating company, including those based on renewable sources of energy.

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