Introduction
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) has scrapped the 2015 norms for SO₂ emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), which were the primary source of these emissions.
Significance and Current Status
- The rollback is significant due to India's reliance on coal and plans to add 80 GW of capacity by 2031-32.
- India has been the world's top SO₂ emitter since 2017.
- The decision led NTPC to ask BHEL to halt flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) installations at five under-construction CFPPs.
- As of February, 537 thermal units with a total capacity of 204 GW were identified for FGD installation.
MoEF's Claim and New Rules
- MoEF claims the decision is "based in science," implying that the 2015 norms were not.
- The new rules classify SO₂ as a pollutant based on geography, not plant size or emissions.
- 11% of plants near Delhi-NCR or million-plus cities must install FGDs by December 2027.
- Another 11% may need FGDs based on an expert review committee.
- Ambient air quality now takes precedence over pollution-at-source.
Challenges and Economic Considerations
- None of the studies cited for the new rules were commissioned by the environment ministry.
- Weak implementation of continuous emissions monitoring hindered challenging the rollback with data.
- The main issue was the cost of desulphurisation, estimated at ₹0.5-1 crore/MW, adding ₹0.25-0.75/kWh to tariffs.
- There was no clear resolution on whether this cost would be passed on to consumers or subsidized.
