Maharashtra's Coal-Fired Power Plants Exempt from Installing Emission Controls

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has claimed that a majority of Maharashtra's coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs) have been exempted from installing flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technology, despite proven benefits in reducing sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter PM2.5, and mercury emissions. The study found that of the 70 thermal power units in the state, only ten units have installed FGD systems, with none of the State-owned plants implementing this technology.

Key Takeaways:

  • The State of Maharashtra has 70 thermal power units, with 45 units (14,760 MW) falling under Category C and being exempted from pollution controls.
  • Only 14 units (4,910 MW) are in Category A, with a deadline to install FGDs, and 11 units (4,840 MW) are in Category B, also at risk of being exempted.
  • Nearly 80% of the State's coal power capacity could continue polluting without SO2 controls, according to the study.
  • Coal-fired power plants account for 60% of India's SO2 output, making them the largest contributors to SO2 emissions.
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors ambient air quality in 31 cities across Maharashtra, with 17 cities exceeding the PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 40 µg/m³.
  • Power plant pollution can travel over 200 km, worsening transboundary pollution, and contributes up to 7% of PM2.5 in Maharashtra's airshed.
  • Exempting emission norms will further delay the achievement of up to 40% reduction in pollution levels in NCAP cities.

Statistics:

  • 45 units (14,760 MW) of thermal power capacity in Maharashtra are exempt from pollution controls.
  • Only 14 units (4,910 MW) of thermal power capacity are in Category A, with a deadline to install FGDs.
  • 10 units have installed FGD systems, with none of the State-owned plants implementing this technology.
  • 17 cities in Maharashtra exceed the PM2.5 NAAQS of 40 µg/m³.
  • Coal-fired power plants account for 60% of India's SO2 output.

Sources:

  • "Maharashtra's coal-fired power plants exempt from FGD installation" by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) (2025)
  • Data from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on ambient air quality in 31 cities across Maharashtra (2025)
  • Study by IIT Delhi on power plant contribution to PM2.5 in Maharashtra's airshed (2025)
  • Report by IIT Bombay on city-level estimates of PM2.5 contribution from the power sector (2025)
  • Written reply by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to a question in Lok Sabha (2025)