The Indian authorities have pushed back deadlines for coal-fired power plants to adopt new emission norms.
According to a new order from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, thermal power plants near populous regions and the capital New Delhi ('Class A') have until the end of 2022 to install Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) units that reduce emissions of sulphur dioxides. Utilities in less polluting areas have until the end of 2023 for power plants in 'Class B' and until the end of 2024 for power plants in 'Class C' to comply or shut down the plants. Plants that have been earmarked for retirement will have until the end of 2025 to adjust to emission norms. In case of non-compliance, a penalty of INR20c/kWh (US$0.3c/kWh) will be levied.
The country had initially set a 2017 target date. The schedule was later extended to varying deadlines for different regions, ending in 2022.