Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Power addressed concerns regarding the installation of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems in coal-based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) to control Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emissions. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has set emission standards and categorized TPPs (A, B, and C) based on location. Compliance timelines vary by category, with potential exemptions for retiring plants and environmental compensation for non-compliance.
Key Points / Main Content:
Emission Standards and Categorization:
* MoEFCC notified SO2 emission standards for coal/lignite-based TPPs on 07.12.2015.
* TPPs are categorized as:
* Category A: Within 10 km of National Capital Region or million-plus cities (17 TPPs, 66 Units, 20,577 MW).
* Category B: Within 10 km of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities (25 TPPs, 72 Units, 24,057 MW).
* Category C: Other than A and B (149 TPPs, 462 Units, 1,66,885.5 MW).
Applicability of SO2 Emission Standards:
* TPPs retiring before 31.12.2030 are exempt from SO2 standards if they submit an undertaking to CPCB and CEA.
* Category A TPPs must comply by 31.12.2027; new plants after this date must comply before operation.
* Applicability for Category B plants will be decided by the Central Government based on the Expert Appraisal Committee's recommendations.
* Category C TPPs are exempt if they comply with stack height criteria notified on 30.08.1990, with a compliance deadline of 31.12.2029.
Environmental Compensation for Non-Compliance:
* Environmental compensation will be levied on non-retiring TPPs for non-compliance:
* 0-180 days: Rs. 0.20 per unit of electricity generated.
* 181-365 days: Rs. 0.30 per unit.
* 366 days and beyond: Rs. 0.40 per unit.
FGD Installation Status:
* As of now, FGDs have been installed in 57 units of various TPPs across the country.
* 11 FGDs have been installed in the Eastern region of India (Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal).
Impact Analysis:
Thermal Power Plants (TPPs):
* Impact: Must comply with SO2 emission standards based on their category and timelines, install FGD systems, or face environmental compensation. Some may be exempt based on retirement plans or stack height criteria.
* Action Required: Assess their category, plan for FGD installation or compliance with stack height criteria, and submit necessary undertakings if planning retirement.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC):
* Impact: Responsible for enforcing the emission standards, reviewing compliance, and collecting environmental compensation.
* Action Required: Monitor TPP compliance, assess the Expert Appraisal Committee's recommendations for Category B plants, and enforce environmental compensation for non-compliant plants.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Central Electricity Authority (CEA):
* Impact: Involved in the undertaking process for TPPs seeking exemption based on retirement plans.
* Action Required: Review and approve undertakings from TPPs seeking exemption.
Citizens/Public Health:
* Impact: Affected by the level of SO2 emissions from TPPs, which impacts air quality and public health.
* Action Required: No direct action, but will benefit from improved air quality as TPPs comply with emission standards.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental regulation, including emission standards for Thermal Power Plants (TPPs).
Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD): A technology used to remove Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) from exhaust flue gases of coal-fired power plants.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2): A pollutant gas emitted by coal-fired power plants, regulated by MoEFCC emission standards.
Thermal Power Plants (TPPs): Power plants that generate electricity by burning fossil fuels such as coal or lignite.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): An organization to which Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) submit undertakings for exemption from Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emission standards if they are to retire before 31.12.2030.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA): An organization to which Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) submit undertakings for exemption from Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emission standards if they are to retire before 31.12.2030.
Expert Appraisal Committee: Committee in charge of thermal Power Projects that provides recommendations to the Central Government regarding the applicability of Sulphur Dioxide emission standards for Category B Plants or Units.
Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal: States in Eastern India where Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems have been installed in Thermal Power Plants (TPPs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4761
ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025
MANDATORY INSTALLATION OF FGD SYSTEMS
4761. SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) whether only about 5 per cent of India’s coal‑based thermal power capacity
had Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems installed as on 2023 according to
recent date of the Government and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether Eastern India had zero compliant plants despite norms set years
ago and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the reasons for which the Government is still delaying mandatory Sulphur
Dioxide (SO₂) control in the majority of Thermal Power Plants thereby putting
public health at risk; and
(d) the time by which the enforcement is likely to be made universal rather
than postponing deadlines with minimal penalty structures?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) to (d): Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
notified emission standards [including Sulphur Dioxide (SO )] for coal / lignite
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based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) vide its Notification dated 07.12.2015.
Further, MoEF&CC vide Notification dated 31.03.2021 prescribed 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 Capital 17 66 20,577
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 A 149 462 1,66,885.5
and B
Total 191 600 2,11,519.5
Note: As per 2011 census of India
…….2.- 2 -
To meet the SO emission norms, Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGDs) systems
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are being installed in coal/lignite based TPPs.
The SO emission standards prescribed in MoEF&CC Notification dated
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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
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concentration in ambient air and heavy burden on consumers due to increase in
electricity price etc.
Besides the above, 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
applicability of SO emission standards for TPPs along with timelines and its
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details are given below:
(i) TPPs declared to retire before 31.12.2030 shall not be required to
meet specified standards for SO emissions in case such plants
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submit an undertaking to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for exemption on ground of
retirement of such plant;
(ii) the existing and under commissioning Category A TPPs shall comply
with SO emission standards by 31.12.2027. Other Category A plants
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to be commissioned after 31.12.2027 will operate only after ensuring
compliance of these standards;
(iii) for all Category B Plants or Units, whether existing or upcoming, the
applicability of SO emission standards, shall be decided by the
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Central Government based upon recommendations of the Expert
Appraisal Committee in charge of thermal Power Projects as per the
procedure laid in the notification dated 11.07.2025;
(iv) the SO emission standards shall not be applicable to all Category-C
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TPPs subject to compliance of stack height criteria notified by
MoEF&CC on 30.08.1990 and the timeline for compliance of stack
height criteria is 31.12.2029.
……..3.- 3 -
The above category wise applicability of SO emission standards in TPPs
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have been decided based on detailed scientific studies and analysis of ambient
SO concentrations across the country, including areas near TPPs.
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Further, in case of non-compliance beyond the specified timelines,
MoEF&CC has prescribed the following Environmental Compensation on non-
retiring TPPs:
Non-Compliant operation Environmental Compensations
beyond the Timeline (Rs. Per unit electricity generated)
0-180 days 0.20
181-365 days 0.30
366 days and beyond 0.40
Till 31.12.2023, FGDs could be installed in 24 Units (10,600 MW).
As of now, FGDs have been installed in 57 Units of various TPPs across the
country. Out of these, 11 FGDs (in the States: Jharkhand-03, Odisha-02 and West
Bengal-06) have been installed in the TPPs located in Eastern region of India.
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