Question : Pollution by Power Plants

(a) the details of coal-based power projects running at present near major Metro Cities and in the NCR region, which badly pollute air of these Metro Cities;

(b) the number of coal-based power projects converted from the coal based to Hydro or other pollution free power generating contents so far;

(c) the time by which all coal based power projects will be closed to provide healthy air to citizens of Delhi and other metro cities; and

(d) the steps taken/being taken by his Ministry for strict compliance of norms with regard to emission of sulphur dioxide and other gases emitting from coal-based power plants?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER
AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

( SHRI R. K. SINGH )

(a) : The details of coal based power projects running at present in and around major Metro Cities and NCR region are annexed.

(b) : No coal based power project has been converted from the coal based to hydro or any other type of power generating plant.

(c) & (d) : There are two coal based thermal power plants located in Delhi. They are Badarpur TPS (3x95 + 2x210 MW) of NTPC and Rajghat TPS (2 x 67.5 MW) of IPGCL. Badarpur TPS has been closed in October 2018 and Rajghat TPS which is not in operation has submitted the closure report to Govt. of NCT of Delhi. Ennore TPS (2x60 MW + 2x110 MW) located near Chennai have been closed in the year 2017. Presently there is no plan to close down the power plants as Annexed.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified following new environmental norms for Thermal Power Plants on 7th December, 2015:

Emission parameter TPPs (units) installed before 31st December, 2003 TPPs (units) installed after 31st December 2003 and upto 31st December 2016 TPPs (units) to be installed from 1st January 2017
Particulate Matter 100 mg/Nm3 50 mg/Nm3 30 mg/Nm3
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) 600 mg/Nm3 for units less than 500MW capacity

200 mg/Nm3 for units 500MW and above capacity 600 mg/Nm3 for units less than 500MW capacity

200 mg/Nm3 for units 500MW and above capacity 100 mg/Nm3
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) 600 mg/Nm3 300 mg/Nm3 100 mg/Nm3
Mercury 0.03 mg/Nm3
(for unit size 500 MW and above) 0.03 mg/Nm3 0.03 mg/Nm3

To ensure uninterrupted power supply position in the country, a phased implementation plan (to be implemented before 2022) for installation of Flue Gas De-Sulphurization (FGD) in plants for a capacity of 1,61,402 MW (414 Units) and upgradation of Electrostatic Precipitator in plants for a capacity of 64,525 MW (222 units) was prepared by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in consultation with the stakeholders and this plan was submitted to MoEF&CC on 13.10.2017. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued directions to Thermal Power Plants including those mentioned in the annexure, to ensure compliance as per the plan prepared by CEA.


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