Controversy over FGD Mandate: A study advises the Union Environment Ministry to roll back its 2015 policy mandating FGD installation in all Indian coal-fired plants.
Selective Application Proposed: The study suggests FGD implementation should be limited to plants using imported or high-sulfur (>0.5%) coal due to the low sulfur content of most Indian coal (0.3%-0.5%).
Cost and Implementation Issues: Only 8% of plants have installed FGD despite extended deadlines, with full compliance now pushed to 2027-2029. FGD installation costs ₹1.2 crore per MW.
Rationale for Rollback: The study argues that high stack heights and Indian climatic conditions already mitigate SO2 pollution. Furthermore, FGD increases CO2 emissions and freshwater consumption.
Acid Rain Not Significant: An IIT-Delhi study found that acid rain is not a major issue in India, questioning the necessity of widespread FGD implementation.
Alternative Solution: PM Control: The study recommends focusing on controlling particulate matter (PM) pollution by installing electrostatic precipitators, which are cheaper and more effective for Indian coal’s high ash content. PM pollution is a bigger threat. Electrostatic precipitators cost only ₹25 lakh per MW and reduce PM pollution by 99%.
Global Warming Argument: The study highlights that removing short-lived SO2 emissions while increasing long-lived CO2 emissions through FGD could worsen global warming.
Study Origin: The study was commissioned by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and conducted by the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
