All AP-Genco thermal power plants to be equipped with FGD systems in the coming years 

A view of the new 800-MW unit of Dr Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station at Ibrahimpatnam in NTR district.
| Photo Credit: Okay.V.S Giri

The AP-Genco has launched into a serious air pollution management drive by getting Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems put in at its Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in a phased method, beginning with the new 800-MW unit of Dr Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS) close to Vijayawada.

As on April 22, the tender paperwork for the proposed FGD system at NTTPS have been submitted for judicial preview in tune with the State’s coverage to be certain that all infrastructure tasks together with PPPs (whose worth exceeds ₹100 crore) are in conformity with procedures, guidelines and pointers prescribed by each the State and Central governments from time to time for optimum utilisation of sources.

Also learn: NTTPS to have the first FGD unit amongst State-owned thermal power plants in Andhra Pradesh 

Next in the pipeline are FGD systems at Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station (SDSTPS) at Krishnapatnam and Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant (RTPP) located close to Proddatur in Kadapa district, tenders for which will even be put by way of the judicial assessment course of.

According to official sources, the AP-Genco invited tenders for the provision of engineering consultancy companies for putting in FGD systems for 3 210 – MW items of RTPP, and it (Genco) is alleged to be going forward with FGD systems for all the three 800 – MW items of SDSTPS.

With this, all the authorities power utilities in Andhra Pradesh (AP) will be equipped with the FGD expertise that can eradicate sulfur from flue fuel to mitigate the environmental hazard brought on by the emissions. 

The FGD systems are an costly proposition (it’s estimated that an funding of practically ₹0.67 crore is required per MW) however are thought of important to make the exhaust flue fuel much less dangerous.

The set up of FGD systems has been made obligatory by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change a couple of years in the past to be certain that sulfur dioxide emissions from the stacks are inside permissible limits however the States are given sufficient time to cope with the large monetary burden (entailed by FGD systems) and the magnitude of the process available.

As on date, the flue fuel is being conditioned by way of ammonia dosing which is a confirmed method to deliver down the suspended particulate matter in the air as an advert – hoc measure in the run – up to the set up of FGD systems.