The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has notified the revised standards for coal-based Thermal Power Plants in the country, with the primary aim of minimising pollution.
These standards are proposed to be implemented in a phased manner.
Point to note
- These new standards are based on the recommendation of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after consultations with different stakeholders.
- For implementation of revised standards Thermal power plants are categorised into 3 categories
- (i) Installed before 31st December, 2003
- (ii) Installed after 2003 and up to 31st December, 2016 and
- (iii) Installed after 31st December, 2016.
- The new standards are aimed at reducing emission of sulphur dioxide (7.3 Kg/MWh), PM10 (0.98 kg/MWh) and Oxide of nitrogen (4.8 kg/MWh).
- It would in turn help in bringing about an improvement in the Nation Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) index around and in thermal power plants.
- The technology employed for controlling of proposed emission limit of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) will also help in reducing mercury emission at about 70-90%.
- Limiting the use of water in thermal power plant will lead to water conservation (about 1.5 M3/MWh) as thermal power plant is a water-intensive industry. This will also lead to a reduction in energy requirement for drawl of water.