India Widens SO₂ Exemptions for Thermal Power Plants, Sparking Pollution Concerns

New Delhi: The Union Environment Ministry has once again extended deadlines for thermal power plants to comply with sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emission standards, in a move experts warn could seriously compromise air quality. A new notification issued on 11 July effectively exempts over 75% of India’s thermal power capacity from meeting SO₂ norms, as long as plants adhere to stack height regulations.

SO₂ emissions are crucial to control because they contribute to secondary particulate matter (PM2.5), a major health hazard. The revised notification introduces fresh compliance rules for coal- and lignite-based thermal power plants, dividing them into three categories:

• Category A: Plants within 10 km of the National Capital Region (NCR) or cities with populations exceeding one million.

• Category B: Plants within 10 km of Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs) or Non-Attainment Cities.

• Category C: All other plants outside Categories A or B.

Thermal plants scheduled to retire before 31 December 2030 are now exempt from SO₂ norms if they formally declare their retirement plans to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

All existing and under-construction Category A plants must meet SO₂ standards by the end of 2027. For Category B, the Centre will decide on applicability, allowing existing plants with environmental clearances to seek a review via the PARIVESH portal within six months.

Category C plants have been entirely exempted from SO₂ standards and must instead comply with stack height rules set in 1990, with a deadline of 31 December 2029.

Environmental groups are alarmed. “Exempting all Category C plants based on location ignores cumulative pollution, especially in areas like Singrauli or Korba which are severely impacted despite not being officially classified as CPAs. Notably, more than 75% of India’s thermal power capacity—amounting to approximately 166,885.5 MW—falls under Category C. Granting such a large-scale exemption undermines the effectiveness of the emission standards and poses a serious risk to public health and environmental sustainability,” the Centre for Science and Environment said on Saturday.

Since their introduction in 2015, India’s SO₂ standards have been repeatedly postponed. The ministry previously extended compliance deadlines in September 2022 and again in December 2024.

The Environment Ministry cited multiple reasons for the latest delay, including limited availability of FGD (Flue Gas Desulphurisation) technology providers, high costs, supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19, and concerns over electricity price hikes.

A committee under the CPCB reviewed studies and techno-economic challenges before recommending further relaxation. The CPCB argued that installing SO₂ control measures increases water and limestone use, raises carbon emissions, and strains resources.

“Coal-based power generation is one of the biggest contributors to air pollution after transportation, primarily due to sulphate formation from SO₂ emissions. However, repeated delays… have hindered progress toward cleaner air,” said Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts. “Exempting Category C plants, which account for nearly 80% of India’s installed power capacity, will severely undermine efforts to achieve clean air across the country.”

Source : Hindustan Times

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