Lok Sabha Question No. 4374 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Installation of FGD Systems in TPPs
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Neeraj Maurya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4374 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026

## INSTALLATION OF FGD SYSTEMS IN TPPS

†4374.  SHRI NEERAJ MAURYA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of the installation of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems in Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) across the country along with the number of plants where the said installation has been completed so far;
- (b) the timeline fixed for the installation of FGD systems to ensure compliance with the emission control standards under environmental regulations; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  financial,  technical  or  other  hurdles  being  faced  in  the installation of FGD systems along with the steps being taken by the Government to overcome the same?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) : The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC),  vide Notification dated 31.03.2021, prescribed for categorization of Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) into three categories namely Category A, B and C for compliance of the emission standards. Accordingly, TPPs were classified as under:

| 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

At  present,  out  of  these  600  TPP  units,  Flue  Gas  Desulphurisation  (FGDs) systems have been installed in 72 units across the country  (Category A - 19 units, Category B - 4 units and Category C - 49 units).

(b) : As per MoEF&CC Notification dated 11.07.2025, the applicability of SO2 emission standards along with timelines for compliance is as follows:

| Category   | Applicability of SO 2 emission standards                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Timelines for Compliance (Non- retiring units)   | Last date for retirement of units for exemption from compliance   |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Category A | Mandatory                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 31.12.2027                                       | 31.12.2030                                                        |
| Category B | To be decided on a case-to-case basis by the Central Government based upon the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal Projects). In case any TPP is considered for exemption from SO 2 emission standards, such TPP shall ensure meeting of stack height as per notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990. | 31.12.2028                                       |                                                                   |
| Category C | Not applicable subject to condition of meeting stack height as per notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 31.12.2029                                       |                                                                   |

- (c) : Major issues/challenges being faced in the implementation of FGD system by Thermal Power Plants are as follows:

(i). There are limited vendors with limited capacity to supply and install FGD components. Vendors' capacity for FGD installation is about 16-20 GW (33 to 39 units) in the country and time taken for installation is about 44 to 48 months.

(ii). India  had  manufacturing  capability  of  70%  FGD  components  which has now increased to 80% with the passage of time. However, it still depends on the imports from other countries.

(iii). The installation  of  FGD  systems  has  also  faced  difficulties  in  terms  of conceptualization,  design  challenges  etc.  Standardization  could  not  be  done as  different  sites  have  different  requirements  like  space  constraints,  lay-out and orientation etc.

To address the above issues, vendors have been encouraged to enhance their capacity  and  to  maximize  the  indigenous  production  of  all  FGD  parts  in  order  to reduce the import dependence.

Further,  in  case  of  non-compliance  beyond  the  prescribed  timelines,  the following Environmental Compensation will be levied on non-compliant TPPs:

| 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 |

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