CSIR-NEERIDirector Dr. S. Venkata Mohan urges focus on fly-ashutilisation, carbon capture, and decarbonisation strategies to reshape thethermal power sector.

NationalPower-Gen Environment Excellence Awards 2025 recognise top performers likeNTPC, Mahagenco, Jindal Power, and JSW across sustainability categories.

ShriGhanashyam Parida from WelspunCaptive Power Generation and Shri Nitin Wagh fromMahagenco win ‘Leader of the Year’ awardsfor pioneering sustainable initiatives in private and public sector powerplants.

Industryexperts from BHEL, GE Power, Mitsubishi, Forbes Marshall, and Isgec presenton advanced AQCS Technologies.

Nagpur,June 2025: India’sthermal power plants remain a cornerstone of the nation’s electricitygeneration, with coal-based facilities forming the dominant share. As of March2024, India’s thermal installed capacity stood at 243.21 GW, of which 210.96 GWcame from coal-based power. The country currently operates 271 thermal powerplants (as of 2023).

To mitigate the environmental impact of thesecoal-dependent plants, the adoption of Air Quality Control Systems (AQCS) hasbecome imperative. Technologies such as Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) andSelective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) are being implemented to reduce sulphurdioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NO?) emissions, respectively.

Delving into these critical developments was therecently concluded 4th Power Gen Environment Excellence Summit 2025,held in Nagpur on June 20–21. Organised by the Council of Enviro Excellence,the summit blended a workshop and technical presentations with the 4thNational Power-Gen Environment Excellence Awards 2025, recognisingexcellence in emission control initiatives across India’s thermal powerlandscape. The event was supported by Powering Partner Forbes Marshall.

The summit was graced by the presence of ChiefGuest Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Director, CSIR-NEERI, who shared insights intoNEERI’s policy-shaping initiatives. He emphasised fly-ash management and therole of decarbonisation in reshaping the thermal power sector. “NEERI has beenworking on these areas for more than five years. The focus is on climatechange, carbon capture as well as a bamboo plantation. We are trying to reduceconcerns around fly-ash and CO2 emissions,” said Dr. Mohan. He further notedthe implications of decarbonisation on investment across related sectors, andcommended the Council of Enviro Excellence for initiating such a vitalplatform.

Workshop insights

The summit opened on day one with a focused 3-hourworkshop led by Ajay Vajpeyi, Head COE, GE Power, and HirenNariyelwala, Sales Manager, GE Power. They focused on wetlimestone-based FGD and lime-based semi-dry FGD technologies for SO2capture. “The primary parameter to measure the power consumption is the L/G(liquid-to-gas ratio), and high SO2 capture ensures good mass transfer. Thisdirectly impacts recycle pumps, power, and other systems,” explained Vajpeyi,detailing the interlinkages between capture efficiency and operationaloptimisation.

The workshop covered FGD technology advancements,third-generation unit designs, and materials of construction for FGDsub-systems.

Expert-led technical presentations

The second day began with the ceremonial lamp lightingby key dignitaries from the AQCS ecosystem, including: Samir Bhandarkar,Divisional Head – CEMS Air Pollution Monitoring, Forbes Marshall; AmritHalder, AVP – Process & Proposal, ISGEC; Ajay Vajpeyi, Head COE, GEPower India; K. Rajavel, Corporate Adviser – AQCS, Mitsubishi HeavyIndustries; Pradeep Kumar Sharma, Sr. Manager – S&CE, BHEL; and SultanMansoori, Plant Head, Jindal Power Simhapuri Energy.

Amrit Halder’s presentation focused on SO2 controloptions suitable for Indian conditions. He discussed regulatory drivers andtechnology fitment for Indian thermal plants.

K Rajavel addressed the challenges and currentscenario, stating: “MHI has enough experience to comply with stringentrequirements in Japan, and MHI can supply reliable technologies to meet Indianregulations.” He outlined AQCS solutions such as DeSOx, DeNOx, ESPaugmentation, zero liquid discharge, heat recovery systems, SCR, and compactgreenfield applications.

Pradeep Kumar Sharma offered insights into the FGD andWet Stack Phenomenon, explaining environmental and technological aspects: “TheMinistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released notificationsmaking environmental norms more stringent for thermal power plants which emitvarious pollutants through exhaust flue gas into the atmosphere.”

Ajay Vajpeyi continued the discussion with his talk on“Capturing SO2 from Thermal Power Plants – A Necessity or a Choice.”

Samir Bhandarkar of Forbes Marshall presented on thetheme “Emission Control: Can’t Manage What We Don’t Measure”, highlightingmajor pollutants such as dust, SO2, NO?, and CO2, and the role of boilercombustion analytics, emission monitoring, and gas analyser technologies inbuilding robust control systems. His session underlined why Forbes Marshallremains a leader in emissions monitoring solutions across India’s power sector.

Recognising excellence

The two-day summit concluded with the much-anticipatedNational Power-Gen Environment Excellence Awards 2025, where 35 awardswere presented to thermal power plants and individual experts across diversecategories. These awards celebrated commitment, innovation, and implementationexcellence in reducing environmental impact from thermal generation.

Best Environment Excellence – Leader of the Year inthe Private Sector was honoured to Shri Ghanashyam Parida from WelspunCaptive Power Generation, and Best Environment Excellence – Leader of theYear Public Sector was honoured to Shri Nitin Wagh from Mahagenco.

Awardees for Best Environment Excellence plant of theyear in the public sectorwas awarded to:

Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station of NTPC Ltd for Sustainable Performance

Sipat Super Thermal Power Station of NTPC Ltd for Sustainable Operations

Koradi Thermal Power Station of Mahagenco for Sustainable Practices

Khaparkheda Thermal Power Station of Mahagenco for New initiatives

Nashik Thermal Power Station of Mahagenco for Operational Excellence 

Awardees for Best Environment Excellence plant of theyear in the private sectorwas awarded to:

Jindal Power Ltd Tamnar for Sustainable Performance

Renusagar Power Division of Hindalco Industries Ltd for Sustainable Operations

Simhapuri Thermal Power Plant of Jindal Power Ltd for Sustainable Practices

This plus, the winner for Best EnvironmentExcellence in Independent Power Producer Lignite Plant of the Year Categorywas awarded to JSW Energy (Barmer) Ltd.

Jojobera Power Plant of Tata Power Company Ltd was awarded Best Environment Excellence in CoalCaptive Power Plant of the Year; Uran Combined Cycle Thermal Power Plant ofMahagenco for Best Environment Excellence in WHR Plant of the Year; and TheSingareni Collieries Company Ltd for Best Envinroment Excellence – Team ofthe Year in Public Sector.

Awards were further announced under various categoriesincluding:

Best Environment Excellence in Independent PowerProducer Coal – Unit below 250 MW category awarded to:
Winners: Kolaghat Thermal Power Station of West Bengal Power DevelopmentCorporation Ltd; and Simhapuri Thermal Power Plant of Jindal Power Ltd.

Best Environment Excellence in Independent PowerProducer Coal – Unit below 250 - 500 MW category awarded to:
Winners: Dhariwal Infrastructure Ltd; Bokaro Thermal Power Station ofDamodar Valley Corporation; and Paras Thermal Power Station of Mahagenco.

Best Environment Excellence in Independent PowerProducer Coal – Unit below 500-660 MW category awarded to:
Winners: Jhajjar Power Ltd (Apraava Energy); Khargone Super ThermalPower Station of NTPC Ltd; DB Power Ltd; Bhusawal Thermal Power Station ofMahagenco; Ukai Thermal Power Station of Gujarat State Electricity CorporationLtd; and Rihand Super Thermal Power Station of NTPC Ltd.    

Best Environment Excellence in Captive Power PlantCoal – Unit below 50 MW category awarded to:
Winner: Grasim Industries Ltd, Chemical Division CPP – Indian Rayon -Veraval

Best Environment Excellence in Captive Power PlantCoal – Unit below 50 - 135 MW category awarded to:
Winners: Vedanta Ltd – Lanjigarh; Welspun Captive Power Generation Ltd; WelspunCaptive Power Generation Ltd; Durgapur Captive Power Plant of NTPC-SAIL PowerCompany Ltd; Sewagram Cement Works of UltraTech Cement Ltd; and JSW Steel Ltd –Raigarh

Best Environmental Excellence FGD Unit of the Year awarded to:
Winners: Solapur Super Thermal Power Station of NTPC Ltd; Bokaro ThermalPower Station of Damodar Valley Corporation; Khaparkheda Thermal Power Stationof Mahagenco; and Koradi Thermal Power Station of Mahagenco.  

Theawards served not just as recognition, but as a powerful reminder of theindustry’s collective responsibility and ability to innovate. As environmentalregulations grow more stringent and expectations rise, events like the PowerGen Environment Excellence Summit will continue to drive the collaboration,technology adoption, and forward-thinking strategies needed to build a cleaner,more resilient power sector for India.