The Hindu : New Delhi News : Chorus against coal-based power plants grows louder

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Saturday, May 17, 2008
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Chorus against coal-based power plants grows louder

Staff Reporter

Three thermal plants make up for more than 10 p.c. of total pollutants in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Acknowledged as one of the biggest sources of pollution in the Capital, the coal-based Indraprastha power plant should not be allowed to operate till 2010 as has been proposed by the Delhi Government, say experts.

The Indraprastha plant along with the other coal-based plants in the city -- the Badarpur thermal power station and the Raj Ghat power station -- have been criticised for not just lagging behind in power production but also for not being environment-friendly.

‘IP plant worst’

“The city’s oldest coal-based plant, Indraprastha, is by far the worst in terms of pollution as well as low production. It is in nobody’s interest to keep it going,” say sources in the power sector.

The Central Electricity Authority has also advised the Delhi Government to hasten the process of closing down the plant, the sources add.

“The thermal power plants are the most prominent contributors to air pollution. Three of these coal-based plants, which have a total generation capacity of 1,085 MW alone, make up for more than 10 per cent of the total pollutants,” the sources said.

According to officials, the Indraprastha plant uses 800 gm of coal to produce one unit of electricity whereas Dadri, another thermal plant, uses 625 gm of coal for the same purpose.

The heat rate -- a measurement of a power plant’s thermal efficiency -- of the Indraprastha plant is greater than Dadri and Badarpur. “The Dadri and Badarpur plants are far more efficient than the Indraprastha plant. They consume less coal, generate more power and release far lesser quantities of carbon dioxide,” say sources.

The Delhi Government’s explanation that it cannot shut down the Indraprastha plant till the gas-based plant in Bawana starts functioning has failed to pacify the CEA.

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