India's Rapid Industrialization Accelerates Flue Gas Desulphurization Installations

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Over the past decade, developed regions such as the U.S. and Europe have successfully deployed flue gas desulfurization (FGD systems to control emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), a highly toxic gas responsible for severe environmental damage and several health issues. Now, with India ramping up its industrial activities, the region is also intensifying its efforts to install FGD systems to curb SO2 emissions. However, India still has a long way to go as currently, only 5% of the country's coal-fired power plants have put FGD systems in place to control SO2 emissions, according to a recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Flue gas desulfurization is a process that eliminates SO2 from exhaust flue gases generated from fossil-fuel power plants. The process involves adding adsorbents such as limestone slurry or seawater in the FGD scrubber, triggering a chemical reaction that captures SO2 from the flue gas. The process can remove up to 95% of the sulfur dioxide from the flue gas.

As a developing economy, India has been heavily reliant on coal as a means of energy generation, and continues to do so, due to the rising industrial activities, heightened energy demand as well as energy security concerns. India's massive investments in FGD systems are driven by an increasing number of power plants and the necessity to align with stringent emissions regulations. According to IIR's database, India plans to add 48 gigawatts (GW) of new coal-fired power capacity over the next five years.

Major companies like NTPC Limited (New Delhi, India), Adani Group (Gujarat, India), Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (Mumbai, India) and Tata Power Company Limited (Mumbai) are significantly investing in FGD systems with the objective to align with the revised Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change regulations to reduce SO2 emissions.

Owing to the growing environmental pollution concerns and increasing governmental policies to regulate sulfur emissions, especially from power plants, India's FGD market is witnessing significant investments. Industrial Info is tracking around 136 active FGD projects worth US$10.18 billion in India. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Project Database can click here for a full list of project reports.

NTPC Limited accounts for the largest share of the total spend, with US$3.33 billion in investment across 32 projects. The projects are aimed at installing FGD systems at the coal-fired units in regions like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. That includes about US$167 million to install a FGD system at the three 800-megawatt (MW) coal-fired units at the Kudgi Super Thermal Power Station. The project is under construction and scheduled to reach completion in July. Click here to read the project report.

Adani Group is also making significant investments, worth US$701.27 million across eight projects. One of its prominent projects is aimed at the installation of a FGD system at the five 660-MW coal-fired units at the Tiroda Thermal Power Station in Maharashtra. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 2025. Click here to read more information.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).