Thermal plants set to miss emission norms deadline

Most thermal power plants within 300 km of Delhi- NCR will not meet the deadline for new emission norms as announced in 2015 and will continue to contribute to toxic pollution in Delhi’s air, a new survey by Centre for Science and Environment ( CSE) has found.

The survey also revealed that more than half of the brick kilns, which had agreed to convert to a cleaner technology, have not done so efficiently, thereby negating any gains that might have accrued from them.

In 2015, the Union environment ministry had announced new emission norms for thermal power plants across India. For power stations located within 300 km of the Delhi- NCR region, the deadline for meeting the norms is December 2019.

The CSE’s survey, aimed at assessing the preparedness of the plants, found that there is little progress to meet the deadline.

In the case of sulphurdioxide emissions, 83 per cent of the plants will not be able to comply with the deadline, unless they are able to fast- track the process.

In the case of Particulate Matter ( PM), 35 per cent of the overall installed capacity will not meet the deadline. In fact, 50 per cent has been asked to meet the norms immediately, but no credible data is available to confirm they are in compliance.

At least half of the region’s installed capacity has not reported any plans to achieve compliance for nitrogen oxide ( NOx) control. “As things stand, 80 per cent of the plants will not meet the 2019 deadline. The concerned regulatory authorities must take immediate steps to prevent further slippage on achieving the target,” Priyavrat Bhati, programme director, energy unit, CSE said.