Environment Ministry must roll back order on desulphurising coal plants , Pg14

Key Highlights

1. Ministry Mandate on FGD Installation

• In 2015, the Environment Ministry mandated all coal-fired thermal plants (537 total) to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems to reduce SO‚ emissions.
• FGD costs ~¹ 1.2 crore/MW and increases water and power consumption of plants.

2. Compliance Status

• Only 8% of plants have installed FGD by 2024.
• Compliance deadlines now extended to 2027, 2028, and 2029 based on plant category.
• 230 plants in various stages of installation; 260 have not yet placed orders.

Detailed Insights

1. NIAS Study Recommendations

• Conducted by National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, for the Principal Scientific Adviser.
• Recommends:
• FGD should be mandatory only for plants using imported or high-sulphur coal (>0.5%).
• Most Indian coal has sulphur content of 0.3 0.5% below global concern levels.
• 92% of India s coal use falls within this low-sulphur range.

2. IIT-Delhi 2024 Study

• Found that ** acid rain **, the major concern from SO‚ emissions, is not a significant issue in Indian climatic conditions.

3. Environmental Trade-Offs

• Installing FGD in all plants may:
• Increase CO‚ emissions by 69 million tonnes (2025 2030).
• Require additional freshwater use in stressed regions.
• While SO‚ emissions would drop by 17 million tonnes, this comes at a cost of higher carbon footprint.

Significance

• Raises debate on the scientific basis for emission regulation.
• Highlights challenge of balancing air pollution control vs GHG emissions in India s coal-dependent energy economy.
• Suggests need for differentiated standards rather than blanket mandates.

Analysis & Way Forward

• Policies must align with domestic resource characteristics (low-sulphur coal).
• Need for evidence-based, region-specific environmental policies.
• Alternatives:
• Focus on efficiency upgrades, renewable energy, and plant modernisation.
• Prioritise FGD only where SO‚ threats to air quality are real and proven.

Mains Mock Question:

India s climate and energy challenges require a context-sensitive approach to emission controls. Critically evaluate the rationale behind desulphurisation mandates for coal plants in light of recent findings.