Coal news and updates

Clean energy through coal from 2017

India Coal Market Watch

December 24: Thermal power plants across India will have to cut particulate matter emissions and water consumption from 2017, according to rules notified by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on December 22, 2015.

The new standards for plants that are commissioned after 2016 will cut down emissions of particulate matter by 25%, sulphur dioxide (SO₂) by 90%, nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 70% and mercury by 75% compared with existing state-of-the-art plants.

For an existing industry-average plant, the emissions cut will also be significant. For instance, the PM norm for an average Indian power plant is 150 mg/Nm3. Under the new standards, existing plants will need to meet PM standards between 50-100 mg/Nm³. The impact will be even more pronounced for SO₂, NOx and mercury emissions since these did not have norms.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has welcomed the steps taken by MoEFCC to tighten the pollution norms for coal-based power sector, which is one of the most polluting sectors of the Indian industry in India.

Earlier this year, CSE had released its environmental rating of the coal-based thermal power sector under its Green Rating Project. Altogether, 47 plants or more than half of the nation’s capacity were rated. The findings showed that the sector ranked poorly on all the parameters. The CSE rating report titled ‘Heat on Power’ had recommended tightening of pollution standards and water use.

“The new regulations are a positive first step. However, strengthening our regulatory systems is critical to ensuring that these standards are strictly enforced. Effective implementation of advanced pollution monitoring technologies such as Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and online reporting is vital,” said Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director General, CSE.