The Mahagenco power plant was shut down to fudge emissions
Nagpur: For its two new 660MW units in Koradi, Mahagenco is so desperate to get environmental clearance that it resorts to underhand tactics.
The company submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Energy, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Expert Assessment Committee (EAC). The committee decided to send a six-member site visit team as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) submitted an adverse pollution level report in the region.
Between 1 to 3 August 2019, the team visited Koradi. During this time, all five Koradi plant units were closed down by Mahagenco citing maintenance shutdown and no grid demand. During this time, it also shut down two out of five nearby Khaparkheda plant units.
Nevertheless, the team found pollutant levels well above the limit in the Koradi area.
A look at daily reports from the Maharashtra State Load Despatch Center (MSLDC) reveals that several 500MW units from Bhusawal and Chandrapur were involved during this period. Mahagenco could have operated a few units of the Koradi plant to provide a proper image for the team.
The acceptable standard for 210MW units of sulphur dioxide (SO2) is 600 mg / Nm3. The range was between 835 and 1527 mg / Nm3 for Koradi units. For 660MW units, the permissible amount of SO2 is 100 mg / Nm3. The emission levels for Koradi’s three 660MW units were between 1477 and 1722 mg / Nm3. Khaparkheda’s 210MW SO2 level was 1174 to 1218 mg / Nm3, while the 500MW level was 1615 mg / Nm3 against a 100 maximum.
For 210MW systems, the permissible amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) is 600 mg / Nm3. The emission level of the two power plants was within the limits of all 210MW systems. The standard is 100 mg / Nm3 for 500MW and 660MW units. The figures ranged from 297 to 351 mg / Nm3 for Koradi and Khaparkheda units.
Sudhir Paliwal, Vidarbha Environmental Action Group (VEAG) convener, has recommended that Koradibe re-inspected by the EAC team. “The level of pollution increases during the rainy season. Mahagenco also had a reason to shut down the whole factory. The test will take place in winter when the plants are running at full load, “he said.
