Parliament Question: Exemption of thermal power plants from installing FGD systems

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.310 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026 EXEMPTION OF THERMAL POWER PLANTS FROM INSTALLING FGD SYSTEMS 310 SHRI PRAMOD TIWARI: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) whether a number of thermal power plants have been exempted from installing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) Systems; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; (c) whether any study has been commissioned/conducted to assess the impact of exemption; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) safeguards put in place to enforce appropriate emission controls and cost- effective approach to pollution control? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK) (a) to (d) : The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified emission standards [including Sulphur Dioxide (SO )] for coal / lignite based Thermal Power Plants 2 (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 National 17 66 20,577 Capital Region or cities having million plus population. 2 Category-B Within 10 km radius of Critically 25 72 24,057 Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities 3 Category-C Other than those included in category 149 462 1,66,885.5 A and B Total 191 600 2,11,519.5 Note: As per 2011 census of India ……..2.- 2 - The SO emission standards prescribed in MoEF&CC Notification dated 07.12.2015 have been 2 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 concentration in ambient 2 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 the above, MoEF&CC has issued a Notification on 11.07.2025 regarding the applicability of SO emission standards notified vide Notification dated 07.12.2015. Accordingly, the 2 applicability and timelines for compliance of SO emission standards by TPPs are tabulated below: 2 Category Applicability of SO emission standards Timelines for Last date for 2 Compliance retirement of (Non- retiring units for units) exemption from compliance Category A Mandatory 31.12.2027 31.12.2030 Category B To be decided on a case-to-case basis by 31.12.2028 the Central Government based upon the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal Projects). In case any TPP is considered for exemption from SO emission standards, 2 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. ……3.- 3 - The category wise applicability of SO emission standards in TPPs have been decided based 2 on detailed scientific studies and analysis of ambient SO concentrations across the country, including 2 areas near TPPs done by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)-Bengaluru. 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 resulting 2 from the operation of deployed control measures, as well as mining and transportation of limestone required for these measures. (e): All TPPs are required to comply with the emission norms as notified by MoEF&CC. The TPPs are regulated through grant of Consent to Establish and/or Consent to Operate under the Water (Prevention And Control Of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 by concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). These Acts also include penal provisions for non-compliance of environmental standards. To comply with the stack emission standards notified by MoEF&CC vide Notification dated 07.12.2015 and its subsequent amendments, TPPs are adopting technologies such as upgradation of Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) for compliance with Particulate Matter (PM) standards, NOₓ Combustion Modification for NOₓ emission standards, and installation of Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems for SO₂ emission standards. Moreover, in case of non-compliance beyond the prescribed timelines in MoEF&CC Notification dated 11.07.2025, the following Environmental Compensation can also be levied on non- compliant TPPs (for both SO₂ and parameters other than SO ): 2 Non-Compliant operation beyond the Environmental Compensations (Rs. per unit Timeline electricity generated) 0-180 days 0.20 181-365 days 0.30 366 days and beyond 0.40 *******