Tighter norms proposed for polluting coal-fired power plants

In a bid to reduce pollution from coal-fired power plants, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) published a draft notification on Monday. It proposes to tighten air quality control norms and lower water use by these plants. The proposed norms are a critical step to reduce the environmental impact of the coal-based power sector, which is one of the most polluting sectors of the Indian industry.

Delhi-based NGO, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which had recently released the environmental rating of the coal-based power plants  in which it had found the environmental performance of the sector below standard, has welcomed the draft notification.

Of the total pollution from the industrial sector, the coal-based power sector currently accounts for approximately 60 per cent of particulate matter (PM) emissions, 45-50 per cent of SO2 emissions, 30 per cent of NOx emissions and more than 80 per cent of mercury emissions. However, there are currently no standards to curb emissions of SO2, NOx and mercury. The only standard that exists is for particulate matter, which is quite relaxed when compared to global norms. The proposed standards released by the MoEF&CC bridges this gap.

What CSE study found

In its study of the coal-based power sector in India, CSE’s Green Rating Project (GRP) unit analysed and rated 47 coal-based thermal power plants from across the country on a variety of environmental and energy parameters. The study found existing norms for PM were way behind global standards while norms for other major air pollutants did not exist. The study had recommended tightening and establishing new norms to help cut pollution levels.

Under the proposed norms the existing plants would have to improve their pollution control technologies and all the new plants installed after January 2017 would have to meet global standards (see ‘Stringent standards).

The reduction in air pollution from the coal-based power plants is critical for achieving significant reduction in overall pollution load from the industrial sector, which will go a long way in alleviating the health impacts of the coal-based power sector, which has a disproportionate impact on the poor people. The finance minister, Arun Jaitley, in his budget speech announced  an additional cess of Rs 100 per tonne on coal in view of its pollution impact, to invest in clean generation.

Finally, the norms would require all existing cooling tower-based plants to restrict water consumption to 3.5 m3/MWh. Plants which will be set up after January, 2017 have to achieve 2.5 m3/MWh. Also, all existing plants using once-through-cooling (OTC) systems would need to replace them with cooling tower-based systems that consume no more than 4m3/MWh.  These would have a remarkable reduction in fresh water withdrawal by the thermal power plants – cumulatively, fresh water withdrawal would decrease from over 22 billion cubic metre in 2011-12 to less than 5 billion cubic metre in 2016-17, including new capacity, almost 80 per cent reduction in water withdrawal.

Taken together, these constitute a significant attempt to control pollution and water use by this key sector. Final norms are expected to be announced after a 30-day period when public and other stakeholders can send their comments and suggestions.

CSE is encouraged by the government’s initiative, but success in controlling pollution would depend on support of all stakeholders, especially the power generating industry.

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