Parliament Question: Emission from Thermal Power Plants

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2017 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025 EMISSION FROM THERMAL POWER PLANTS †2017. SHRI RAKESH RATHOR: SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has conducted any assessment to study the extent by which the emissions from Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in neighbouring States are contributing to the air pollution in Delhi and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has given exemption from installing pollution control systems like Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) to many coal-based power plants and if so, the number and details of such exempted units; (c) whether it is a fact that such exemption are causing high emissions from neighbouring areas and thus the burden of pollution is being shifted, if so, the details thereof; and (d) the measures being taken by the Government to ensure strict compliance with emission norms / standards to ensure that the pollution control systems remain fully operational and prevent inter-state displacement of air pollution? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK) (a) to (c): No such assessment / study has been conducted by the Ministry of Power to evaluate the extent to which emissions from Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) located in neighbouring states contribute to air pollution in Delhi. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified emission standards [including Sulphur Dioxide (SO )] for coal / lignite based Thermal 2 Power Plants (TPPs) vide its Notification dated 07.12.2015. Further, MoEF&CC vide Notification dated 31.03.2021 prescribed for categorization of TPPs into three categories i.e. Category A, B and C for compliance of the emission standards. Accordingly, TPPs were classified as follows:Sl. Category Location / Area No. of No. of Capacity No. TPPs Units (MW) 1 Category A Within 10 km radius of 17 66 20,577 National Capital Region or cities having million plus population 2 Category B Within 10 km radius of 25 72 24,057 Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities 3 Category C Other than those included in 149 462 1,66,885.5 category A and B Total 191 600 2,11,519.5 Note: As per 2011 census of India The SO emission standards prescribed in MoEF&CC Notification dated 2 07.12.2015 have been reviewed by the Central Government taking into consideration the various representations received regarding exemption or relaxation in timelines of these standards due to limited availability of technology providers, its techno-economic feasibility, negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on supply chain, price escalation due to high demand and low supplies, low SO 2 concentration in ambient air and heavy burden on consumers due to increase in electricity price etc. Besides, the scientific studies conducted by independent research institutions regarding effectiveness & rationale behind these standards and its role in overall ambient air pollution of the region were also considered to evaluate the need of universal applicability and enforcement of these standards. In view of above, MoEF&CC has issued a Notification on 11.07.2025 regarding the applicability of SO emission standards notified vide Notification dated 2 07.12.2015. Accordingly, the applicability and timelines for compliance of SO 2 emission standards by TPPs are tabulated below: Category Applicability of SO emission standards Timelines Last date 2 for for Complianc retirement e of units for (Non- exemption retiring from units) compliance Category A Mandatory 31.12.2027 31.12.2030 Category B To be decided on a case-to-case basis 31.12.2028 by the Central Government based uponthe recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal Projects). In case any TPP is considered for exemption from SO emission 2 standards, such TPP shall ensure meeting of stack height as per Notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990. Category C Not applicable subject to condition of 31.12.2029 meeting stack height as per Notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990. The category wise applicability of SO emission standards in TPPs have been 2 decided based on detailed scientific studies and analysis of ambient SO 2 concentrations across the country, including areas near TPPs. This approach applies the precautionary principle for controlling and abating air pollution in densely populated and other air pollution sensitive areas, while also emphasizing on resource conservation by avoiding additional consumption of water, auxiliary power, and limestone, and avoiding the increase in carbon footprint/CO emissions 2 resulting from the operation of deployed control measures, as well as mining and transportation of limestone required for these measures. (d): The thermal power plants are mandated to install Online Continuous Emission & Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS) for continuous emission and effluent monitoring. Further, in case of non-compliance beyond the prescribed timelines, the following Environmental Compensation will be levied on non-compliant TPPs: Non-Compliant operation beyond the Environmental Compensations (Rs. Per Timeline unit electricity generated) 0-180 days 0.20 181-365 days 0.30 366 days and beyond 0.40 ******