Coal Ban removed from ‘Captive thermal power plant’ using Paper Mills in NCR

Coal Ban removed from ‘Captive thermal power plant’ using Paper Mills in NCR

- Captive TPPs are also under statutory directions for co-firing of biomass at least @ 5-10% of their requirements coal.

- Low sulphur is a permissible fuel only for thermal power plants (TPPs) and accordingly also for the captive thermal power plants (CPPs) operating in the NCR.

New Delhi | 5th January 2023 | The Pulp and Paper Times:

Working on the NCR Paper Mills Association (NCRPMA)’s request to remove the ban on using coal for a captive thermal power plant in paper mills around the NCR region, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revised its directive for allowing the use of Low Sulphur Coal in Captive Thermal Power Plants in Delhi-NCR.

In its directive issued on 4rth January 2023, CAQM says, “As per the approved fuel list for entire NCR, coal with low sulphur is a permissible fuel only for thermal power plants (TPPs) and accordingly also for the captive thermal power plants (CPPs) operating in the NCR. It however needs to be ensured that emission Standards and related Directions, Orders etc. as applicable to the thermal power plants, are followed scrupulously even for the captive power plants. Accordingly, the Captive TPPs in NCR must adhere to the emission standards as stipulated in the MoEFCC Notification dated 07.12.2O15 and related amendments & Directives issued from time to time.

CAQM also requests to all paper mills in NCR region to increase biomass use in power plants, “It is to further emphasize that, along with low sulphur coal, such Captive TPPs are also under statutory directions for co-firing of biomass at least @ 5-10% of their requirements coal and are thus required to ensure adequate steps for developing mechanism for continual procurement of biomass pellets throughout the year, for ensuring the requisite levels of co-firing” CAQM added.

As the deadline for adoption of clean/approved fuels in entire NCR was 31.12.2022, vide Commission's letter dated 26.12.2022, Coal India Limited (CIL) was advised to ensure stoppage of supply l sale l trading of coal in entire NCR to various industrial entities/units and other commercial organizations, except for thermal power plants (TPPs). This exception is accordingly applicable to Thermal Power Plants including captive thermal power plants in the NCR. It is, therefore, clarified that there are no restrictions on supply of low-sulphur coal to Thermal Power Plants including existing Captive Thermal Power Plants in the NCR.

NCRPMA had submitted its grievance to CAQM requesting to have a look for revision in its notification. “In this matter it is most humbly submitted that in CAQM’s direction on 26-12-22 for complete Ban on usage/ Supply/Sale/Trading of Coal in Delhi-NCR w.e.f. 01.01.2023, the word-“Captive Thermal Power Plants” has been left to be mentioned while use of Low Sulphur Coal is allowed in Captive Thermal Power Plants also subject to scrupulously compliant with the Emission Standards/Directions, Orders etc as applicable to TPPs in view of clarification issued by CAQM vide letter dated 13.07.2022 and letter dated 16.08.2022,” NCRPMA submitted to CAQM.

In order to curb air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had issued a policy of complete ban on heavily polluting fossil fuels including coal in the entire NCR w.e.f. 01.01.2023.

Web Title: Coal Ban removed from ‘Captive thermal power plant’ using Paper Mills in NCR