Ennore power project gets fresh environment clearance from Centre

CHENNAI: In a breather to Tangedco, the Ennore Supercritical Thermal Power Station Expansion project got fresh environmental clearance (EC) from the Union Environment Ministry after its existing clearance expired a few months ago.

The power project was sanctioned environment clearance on certain conditions at the 33rd meeting of the expert appraisal committee on environmental impact assessment of thermal power projects held in New Delhi.

The 660 MW project was the first supercritical thermal power plant to be awarded the contract for construction by the ruling AIADMK government in May 2014, but the work was stalled after the contractor, Lanco, declared bankruptcy.

The initial environmental clearance for the project, which was given in 2009, expired on June 2, 2019. Rejecting the Tangedco’s plea for extension of the EC, the Ministry said it cannot be given an extension for a thermal power plant project beyond 10 years and asked it to obtain EC afresh.

According to the minutes of the meeting, the project proponent should comply with any recommendations made by the CRZ division of the Environment Ministry. It noted that the certain portion of the ash pond and pipelines connecting pond and power plants were falling in the CRZ area and the present Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority recommendations, dated August 14, 2019, do not explain whether the ash pond and associated facilities in the CRZ area have been examined or not.

“However, the project proponent assured that the portion of ash pond falling in the CRZ area will not be used and kept under greenbelt area. Further, for laying of pipelines, it has been informed that there is already a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) bridge constructed and the pipelines will be laid on the bridge without entering coastal water and disturbing mangroves and marine life,” it said.

It also asked the Tangedco to develop a greenbelt in an area of 65 acres. “The land between Buckingham canal and project shall be developed with mangrove afforestation,” it said.

The Ministry also asked the project proponent to submit the progress of implementation of the electrostatic precipitator, flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) system and Nitrogen Oxide control systems shall be established to meet the new emission norms. “The capital cost towards corporate environmental responsibility of an amount of Rs 13.6 crore (0.25 per cent of total project cost Rs 5,421.38 crore) shall be earmarked separately and implement various developmental activities in the surrounding villages,” it said.