Coal has about 57 per cent share (around 197 GW) in the total installed capacity in India; but nearly 70 per cent of electricity (977 TWh, 2017- 18) in the country still comes from coal power plants.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) revised the environmental standards for coal-based thermal power stations in 2015. The deadline to comply with the standards expired in 2017; no progress was however made by the industry.
The thermal power sector has made very little progress in implementing the revised stack emission standards for suspended particulate matter (SPM), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxide(s) of nitrogen (NOx) notified in December 2015.
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) estimates that the new environmental norms applicable to the coal-based power sector may require almost Rs 72,000 crore of investment by existing plants. While the estimated tariff increase is not material, raising this amount of funding from commercial banks would be challenging.
Technologies to control particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions are mature. They are being used across the world for a range of coal quality and operating conditions. Many large-scale manufacturers, including BHEL, Mitsubishi and GE-Alstom, are supplying the technologies to meet the new standards.
The public hearing for the first phase of Ultratech's proposed cement plant in Tamil Nadu on Thursday appeared to be a stage-managed event. Officials and police at the event did not allow a volunteer from Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Senthil, to film the proceedings. He was detained at the venue and his cassette was snatched away.
