**Executive Summary**
The Government is taking steps to reduce carbon emissions and the environmental impact of coal-based thermal power generation. The Ministry of Power is promoting efficient technologies, implementing energy efficiency schemes, and mandating biomass co-firing in coal plants. Key actions include commissioning supercritical units by October 31, 2025 and implementing the PAT scheme.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Promotion of Efficient Technologies:**
* The Ministry of Power is promoting the installation of Supercritical/Ultra-supercritical units to reduce CO2 emissions.
* 70,190 MW (101 units) of Supercritical/Ultra-supercritical units have been commissioned.
* 7,680 MW (11 units) have been commissioned respectively till 31.10.2025.
* **Energy Efficiency Improvement:**
* The Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme is being implemented in thermal power plants.
* Improved energy efficiency will reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
* **Biomass Co-firing:**
* A comprehensive policy was issued on 07.11.2025 for co-firing of Bio-mass pellets in coal plants.
* Coal plants are to use a 5-7% blend of biomass pellets and/or MSW-based torrefied charcoal along with coal, after assessing technical feasibility.
* **Reduction of Stack Emissions:**
* MoEF&CC notification dated 07.12.2015, along with subsequent amendments, mandates norms for reducing stack emissions.
* Norms address Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Sox & NOx from coal-based Thermal Power Plants.
* Thermal Power Plants are using technologies like ESP, FGD, NOx Combustion Modification, etc.
* **Carbon Capture:**
* NTPC Ltd. has commissioned a 20 TPD capacity Pilot Carbon Capture Project at its Vindhayachal Thermal Power Station.
* **Installed Capacity (as of 31.10.2025):**
* Coal: 2,18,258 MW (43.22%)
* Lignite: 6,620 MW (1.31%)
* Gas: 20,132 MW (3.99%)
* Diesel: 589 MW (0.12%)
* Total Fossil Fuel Based Capacity: 2,45,600 MW (48.63%)
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Power**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing policies and promoting efficient technologies to reduce emissions.
* **Action Required:** Continue promoting the installation of efficient Supercritical/Ultra-supercritical units.
**Thermal Power Plants**
* **Impact:** Required to improve energy efficiency, co-fire biomass, and reduce stack emissions.
* **Action Required:** Implement the PAT scheme, assess the feasibility of co-firing biomass, and adopt technologies to meet emission norms.
**NTPC Ltd.**
* **Impact:** Spearheading carbon capture technology.
* **Action Required:** Continue operating the Pilot Carbon Capture Project and explore scaling up the technology.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Power: The primary governmental body implementing policies related to carbon emissions from coal-based power generation.
Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme: A scheme implemented to improve energy efficiency in thermal power plants, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
MoEF&CC notification dated 07.12.2015: Notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change specifying norms for reducing stack emissions from coal-based thermal power plants.
Ministry of Power
Addressing Carbon Emissions & Environmental
Impact of Coal Based Thermal Power Generation
प्रव तथ: 08 DEC 2025 5:00PM by PIB Delhi
In order to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact of coal-based thermal power generation,
the Government is taking following steps:
(i) Ministry of Power is promoting installation of efficient Supercritical/ Ultra Supercritical
units which are more efficient and leading to reduced CO emission per unit of electricity
2
generation. A total capacity of Supercritical/ Ultra-supercritical units of 70,190 MW (101 Units)
and 7,680 MW (11 units) have been commissioned respectively till 31.10.2025
(ii) To improve the energy efficiency, the Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme has been
implemented in various thermal power plants. Improvement in energy efficiency reduces carbon
dioxide emission in thermal power generation.
(iii) Ministry of Power has issued a comprehensive policy on 07.11.2025 for co-firing of Bio-
mass pellets [including torrefied charcoal made from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)] in Coal
Based Power Plants to use 5-7% blend of biomass pellets and/or MSW-based torrefied charcoal
along with coal, after assessing the technical feasibility.
(iv.) Reduction of Stack Emissions - MoEF&CC vide notification dated 07.12.2015 and its
subsequent amendments has notified norms in respect of reducing stack emissions such as
Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Sox & NOx from coal based Thermal Power Plants. To meet
these standards, Thermal Power Plants are using techniques like ElectroStatic Precipitator (ESP),
Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD), NOx Combustion Modification etc.
(v) NTPC Ltd. has commissioned a 20 Tonnes Per Day (TPD) capacity Pilot Carbon Capture
Project at its Vindhayachal Thermal Power Station
As on 31.10.2025, the total installed capacity of thermal power generation in the country and its share in
the overall energy mix are given below:
Category Installed Capacity % Share in Total
(MW)Fossil Coal 2,18,258 43.22%
Fuel
Lignite 6,620 1.31%
Gas 20,132 3.99%
Deisel 589 0.12%
Total Fossil Fuel Based Capacity 2,45,600 48.63%
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Power, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, in a written reply
in the Rajya Sabha today.
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