Question : Installation of FGD Equipment

(a) the details of the coal based thermal power plants which are fitted with Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) equipment, State-wise;

(b) the steps taken by the Government to implement and install the FGD equipment in the coal based thermal power plants across the country;

(c) whether the Government has taken any proactive measures to ensure the completion of the set targets for the installation of FDGs at various thermal plants;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of the funds allocated for the installation of such equipment and infrastructure by the Governments, State-wise including Tamil Nadu?

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (d) : Coal based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) are required to comply with emission norms including sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions norms, notified by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and directions given by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Installation of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) is one of the technologies chosen by the TPPs to comply with the sulphur dioxide norms of MoEF&CC. The details of coal based TPPs which are fitted with FGD equipment are given at Annexure.

As per the revised Notification issued by MoEF&CC on 31.03.2021, a Task force has been constituted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) comprising of representative from MoEF&CC, Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority and CPCB to categorize Thermal Power Plants in three categories to comply with new

emission norms as follows:

Category and Description Timelines for
compliance Environment Compensation (Rs. per unit electricity generated) for non-compliance beyond timelines
0-180
days 181-365
days 366 days &
beyond
Category A - Within 10 km radius of National Capital Region (NCR) or cities having million plus population as per 2011 census of India Upto
31.12.2022 0.10 0.15 0.20
Category B - Within 10 km radius of critically polluted areas or Non-Attainment cities as defined by CPCB Upto
31.12.2023 0.07 0.10 0.15
Category C- Other than those included in Category A and B Upto
31.12.2024 0.05 0.075 0.10

The aforementioned categorization by Task Force has been finalized by the Task Force on 13.12.2021.

(e) : Government has not allocated any funds for the installation of FGD by the TPPs. However, directions have been issued to Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) under Section 107 of the Electricity Act 2003 to allow pass through of the additional capital and operational cost incurred by the TPPs due to implementation of new environmental norms by MoEF&CC. Ministry of Power vide letter dated 30.07.2021 has further issued necessary directions to CERC that the impact of Operating cost incurred in the implementation of new Environmental Norms shall not be considered for Merit Order Despatch of coal based Thermal Power Stations till the time as mentioned in MoEF&CC Notification dated 31.03.2021.



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