Nellore: Provision is being made in the third 800 MW unit of Genco near Nellore to install Flue-Gas Desulfurisation (FGD) system.
FGD is a set of technologies used to remove sulphur dioxide (SOX) from exhaust flue gases of fossil-fuel power plants, and from the emissions of other sulfur oxide emitting processes.
The third unit of Genco’s Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah thermal power station is under construction at Nelaturu near Nellore and will be ready before next yearend. This unit is the second or third thermal station in the country to have the provision to Flue Gas Desulfurization.
Ministry of environment, forest and climate change had issued new environmental norms in December, 2015 in continuing efforts to safeguard the environment and reduce emissions from power sector as per the discussions during the annual meeting of all nations that make up the United Nations Framework on Climate Change.
According to senior engineers of Genco, the norms are meant to reduce emissions from thermal power stations, regarding suspended particulate matter (SPM), Sox (Sulphur dioxide), NOX (Nitrogen oxide), mercury.
Norms for specific water consumption by thermal power stations have also been notified to conserve water.
FGD system would need to be installed to meet the amended norms regarding SOx control for all categories of existing plants as well as plants under construction.
Although the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has set December 2017 for the plants to install essential pollution abatement technology, it is extended up to 2020 now in view of financial implications to adopt the technology.
The capital expenditure is to the extent of Rs 1 cr per megawatt in the least, to incorporate the technology, Genco officials said. Moreover, they have to carry out the same provision for the already functioning first and second units of 800 MW each.
A Genco engineer said they are only making provision in the third unit and installing the equipment is based on the sanction of funds for the third unit.
