Lok Sabha Question No. 925 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Installation of FGDs in Thermal Power Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.925

## ANSWERED ON 08.02.2024

## INSTALLATION OF FGDs IN THERMAL POWER PLANTS

925.   SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that none of the States in the Eastern Region,  including  Bihar  and  Assam  has  any  thermal  power  plants  currently complying  with  the  emission  norms  with  slow  progress  in  Odisha,  Jharkhand and West Bengal;
- (b) if so, the details of the mechanism adopted by the Government to ensure compliance  with  installing  Flue  Gas  Desulfurization  (FGD)  to  control  SO2 emissions by the said plants in the region;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  also  aware  that  there  is  no  information available  about  on-ground  inspections  conducted  by  State-level  regulatory bodies for the installation of FGDs in the said plants; and
- (d) if so, the details and the outcomes thereof, State-wise?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (d) :   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 equipments as per the timelines specified vide MoEF&CC Notification dated 05.09.2022.

.........2.

For compliance to Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission norms, Thermal Power Plants are installing Flue Gas De-sulphurisation (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) | Upto 31 st December 2024 |
|         2 | Category B | Within 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities (as defined by CPCB)                              | Upto 31 st December 2025 |
|         3 | Category C | Other than those included in category A and B                                                                               | Upto 31 st 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                                    |                                                               0.2 |
| 181-365 days                                  |                                                               0.3 |
| 366 days and beyond                           |                                                               0.4 |

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.

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