Lok Sabha Question No. 4761 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Mandatory Installation of FGD Systems
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4761 ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025

## MANDATORY INSTALLATION OF FGD SYSTEMS

4761. SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether only about 5 per cent of India's coal -based thermal power capacity had Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems installed as on 2023 according to recent date of the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Eastern India had zero compliant plants despite norms set years ago and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reasons for which the Government is still delaying mandatory Sulphur Dioxide  (SO ₂ )  control  in  the  majority  of  Thermal  Power  Plants  thereby  putting public health at risk; and
- (d) the time by which the enforcement is likely to be made universal rather than postponing deadlines with minimal penalty structures?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (d): Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC) notified  emission  standards  [including  Sulphur  Dioxide  (SO2)]  for  coal  /  lignite based  Thermal  Power  Plants  (TPPs)  vide  its  Notification  dated  07.12.2015. Further, MoEF&CC vide Notification dated 31.03.2021 prescribed categorization of  TPPs  into  three  categories  i.e.  Category  A,  B  and  C  for  compliance  of  the emission standards. Accordingly, TPPs were classified as follows:

| Sl. No.   | Category   | Location/Area                                                                           |   No. of TPPs |   No. of Units | Capacity (MW)   |
|-----------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|----------------|-----------------|
| 1         | Category A | Within 10 km radius of National Capital Region or cities having million plus population |            17 |             66 | 20,577          |
| 2         | Category B | Within 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities               |            25 |             72 | 24,057          |
| 3         | Category C | Other than those included in category A and B                                           |           149 |            462 | 1,66,885.5      |
| Total     | Total      | Total                                                                                   |           191 |            600 | 2,11,519.5      |

Note: As per 2011 census of India

…….2.

To meet the SO2 emission norms, Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGDs) systems are being installed in coal/lignite based TPPs.

The  SO2  emission  standards  prescribed  in  MoEF&CC  Notification  dated 07.12.2015 have been reviewed by the Central  Government taking into consideration  the  various  representations  received  regarding  exemption  or relaxation in timelines of these standards due to limited availability of technology providers, its techno-economic feasibility, negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on supply chain, price escalation due to high demand and low supplies, low SO2 concentration in ambient air and heavy burden on consumers due to increase in electricity price etc.

Besides the above, the scientific studies conducted by independent research institutions regarding effectiveness & rationale behind these standards and its role in overall ambient air pollution of the region were also considered to evaluate the need of universal applicability and enforcement of these standards.

In view of above, MoEF&CC has issued a Notification on 11.07.2025 regarding applicability  of  SO2  emission  standards  for  TPPs  along  with  timelines  and  its details are given below:

- (i) TPPs declared  to  retire  before  31.12.2030  shall  not  be  required  to meet  specified  standards  for  SO2  emissions  in  case  such  plants submit an undertaking to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Central  Electricity  Authority  (CEA)  for  exemption  on  ground  of retirement of such plant;
- (ii) the existing and under commissioning Category A TPPs shall comply with SO2 emission standards by 31.12.2027. Other Category A plants to be commissioned after 31.12.2027 will operate only after ensuring compliance of these standards;
- (iii) for all Category B Plants or Units, whether existing or upcoming, the applicability  of  SO2  emission  standards,  shall  be  decided  by  the Central  Government  based  upon  recommendations  of  the  Expert Appraisal Committee in charge of thermal Power Projects as per the procedure laid in the notification dated 11.07.2025;
- (iv) the SO2 emission standards shall not be applicable to all Category-C TPPs  subject  to  compliance  of  stack  height  criteria  notified  by MoEF&CC on 30.08.1990 and  the  timeline  for  compliance  of  stack height criteria is 31.12.2029.

……..3.

The above category wise applicability of SO2 emission standards in TPPs have been decided based on detailed scientific studies and analysis of ambient SO2 concentrations across the country, including areas near TPPs.

Further, in  case  of  non-compliance  beyond  the  specified  timelines, MoEF&CC  has  prescribed  the  following  Environmental  Compensation  on  nonretiring TPPs:

Till 31.12.2023, FGDs could be installed in 24 Units (10,600 MW).

| Non-Compliant operation beyond the Timeline   |   Environmental Compensations (Rs. Per unit electricity generated) |
|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 0-180 days                                    |                                                                0.2 |
| 181-365 days                                  |                                                                0.3 |
| 366 days and beyond                           |                                                                0.4 |

As of now, FGDs have been installed in 57 Units of various TPPs across the country. Out of these, 11 FGDs (in the States: Jharkhand-03, Odisha-02 and West Bengal-06) have been installed in the TPPs located in Eastern region of India.

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