India Reassesses $30 Billion Sulphur-Cutting Program for Coal Plants

India is reevaluating its $30 billion initiative to install flue-gas desulphurization (FGD) systems in coal-fired power plants, citing economic challenges and questionable environmental benefits. Launched a decade ago, the program has seen limited progress, with only 8% of the 540 targeted plants adopting the costly technology.

Rethinking FGDs

Indian coal, which powers 92% of the nation’s thermal energy, contains just 0.5% sulphur—far below global averages. Government-backed studies indicate that installing FGDs yields minimal air quality improvements, as particulate matter, not sulphur dioxide, is the primary pollutant.

“There was really never any case for having FGDs in India. All our cities actually suffer from high particulate-matter pollution, not from sulphur dioxide pollution,” said R. Srikanth, head of engineering at NIAS.

To address the issue more effectively, authorities propose cheaper and locally viable alternatives like electrostatic precipitators. These systems are better suited for reducing particulate emissions from high-ash Indian coal and cost one-fifth of FGDs.

Challenges and Concerns

Implementing FGDs costs $141,000 per megawatt and requires power plants to shut down for up to 45 days. This disrupts operations, delaying compliance and capacity expansion. Coal-fired plants, however, remain responsible for 80% of industrial sulphur and nitrogen emissions, underscoring the urgency of targeted interventions.

Environmentalists caution that coal’s environmental and health impacts extend beyond sulphur emissions. “The installation of FGD systems and carbon capture technologies should not be used as a smokescreen to justify the continued power generation from these unsustainable, CO2-intensive sources,” warned a report by IIT Delhi.

The Way Forward

The government is consulting stakeholders to finalize its policy direction, with a decision expected soon. Meanwhile, the power ministry has sought to extend the FGD installation deadline to 2029. As the debate unfolds, experts and environmental groups emphasize the need for broader reforms to reduce India’s dependence on coal-based power.