India’s Thermal Power Sector Advances Emission Control
India’s thermal power plants remain a cornerstone of the nation’s electricity generation, with coal-based facilities forming the dominant share. As of March 2024, India’s thermal installed capacity stood at 243.21 GW, of which 210.96 GW came from coal-based power. The country currently operates 271 thermal power plants (as of 2023).
To mitigate the environmental impact of these coal-dependent plants, the adoption of Air Quality Control Systems (AQCS) has become imperative. Technologies such as Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) are being implemented to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions, respectively.
Delving into these critical developments was the recently concluded 4th Power Gen Environment Excellence Summit 2025, held in Nagpur on June 20–21. Organised by the Council of Enviro Excellence, the summit blended a workshop and technical presentations with the 4th National Power-Gen Environment Excellence Awards 2025, recognising excellence in emission control initiatives across India’s thermal power landscape. The event was supported by Powering Partner Forbes Marshall.
Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Director of CSIR-NEERI and Chief Guest, emphasized the need for climate-responsive strategies in thermal energy. He highlighted NEERI’s focus areas such as fly-ash management, carbon capture, and bamboo plantation for decarbonisation. “We are addressing fly-ash and CO₂ emissions through multifaceted approaches. These efforts have investment implications across multiple sectors,” he noted, commending the Council for hosting a timely summit.
Technical Workshop
The event opened with a 3-hour workshop led by Ajay Vajpeyi and Hiren Nariyelwala from GE Power. They delved into wet limestone and lime-based semi-dry FGD systems for SO₂ capture. Vajpeyi stressed the importance of liquid-to-gas ratio (L/G) in determining power efficiency, linking it to overall plant optimization.
Expert-led technical presentations
Day two of the summit featured a series of technical presentations by leading industry experts. Amrit Halder from ISGEC discussed sulphur dioxide (SO₂) control strategies tailored to the specific conditions of Indian thermal power plants. K. Rajavel of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries highlighted advanced Air Quality Control Systems (AQCS), drawing attention to Japan’s rigorous emission standards and how similar technologies could be effectively applied in India. Pradeep Kumar Sharma from BHEL elaborated on the environmental and regulatory challenges posed by the Wet Stack Phenomenon, noting the increasingly strict emission norms set by Indian authorities. Ajay Vajpeyi emphasized that capturing SO₂ is no longer optional but a critical necessity for the sector. Adding to the discussion, Samir Bhandarkar of Forbes Marshall stressed the importance of accurate measurement and continuous monitoring in emission control, remarking, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” as he presented data-driven solutions for emissions analytics.
Recognising excellence
The summit concluded with the National Power-Gen Environment Excellence Awards 2025, where 35 awards recognized leaders and power plants for outstanding environmental performance.
Individual Honours:
- Leader of the Year – Private Sector: Shri Ghanashyam Parida (Welspun Captive Power)
- Leader of the Year – Public Sector: Shri Nitin Wagh (Mahagenco)
Top Plant Awards – Public Sector:
- NTPC Vindhyachal, Sipat – Sustainable Performance/Operations
- Mahagenco Koradi, Khaparkheda, Nashik – New Initiatives and Operational Excellence
Top Plant Awards – Private Sector:
- Jindal Power (Tamnar, Simhapuri) – Sustainable Performance/Practices
- Hindalco Renusagar – Sustainable Operations
Other Notable Winners:
- JSW Energy (Barmer) – Best Lignite IPP
- Tata Power Jojobera – Best Coal Captive Plant
- Mahagenco Uran – Best WHR Plant
- Singareni Collieries – Best Public Sector Team
Segment-Wise Recognitions:
- IPP Coal Units <250 MW: Kolaghat (WBPDCL), Jindal Simhapuri
- 250–500 MW: Dhariwal Infra, Bokaro (DVC), Paras (Mahagenco)
- 500–660 MW: Jhajjar (Apraava), Khargone (NTPC), DB Power, Bhusawal, Ukai, Rihand
- Captive Units <50 MW: Grasim Industries – Veraval
- 50–135 MW: Vedanta Lanjigarh, Welspun, NTPC-SAIL, UltraTech Sewagram, JSW Raigarh
- Best FGD Units: NTPC Solapur, DVC Bokaro, Mahagenco Khaparkheda & Koradi.
