Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Jul 13: In a significant policy shift, the Centre has eased sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission norms for coal-fired power plants, exempting nearly 79% of them from mandatory installation of flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems. The move, formalised through a government notification on July 11, affects plants located more than 10 km away from pollution hotspots.

The Ministry of Environment has said that another 11% of coal power plants will be reviewed individually, while only the remaining 10% — mostly around Delhi and other major urban centres — must comply with the stricter FGD norms by December 2027.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) stated the decision followed a detailed study on increased carbon dioxide emissions due to control measures such as FGDs. The board concluded that the installation of FGDs might be counterproductive in some areas given their additional carbon footprint.

India had first introduced SO2 emission standards for coal and lignite-based thermal power plants in 2015, with compliance deadlines extended multiple times. The latest order marks a major rollback in those standards for the majority of plants across the country.