30 paise per unit increase in Mahanirmithi electricity rate for consumers 30 paise per unit increase in Mahanirmithi electricity rates for consumers

To reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide released during power generation from thermal projects, the central government has made it mandatory to install flue gas desulphurization (FGD) systems. 5 thousand crore rupees will be spent on Mahanirmiti to install this FGD machine. MERCA has allowed this cost to be recovered from electricity consumers. So Mahanirmiti’s electricity rate will increase by 30 paise per unit which will be borne by common consumers. The thermal power generation capacity of Mahanirmiti is 10 thousand MW.

The central government has made it mandatory to install FGD in this power project. The cost of installing this machine is 75 lakh rupees per megawatt. Mahanirmiti has started work for setting up FGD machinery in the first phase of the project of about 1 thousand 130 MW capacity of Koradi, Khaparkheda and Paras Power Station.

It will cost about 850 crore rupees. Also, it is mandatory to install FGD system in all power stations in the next two years. It will cost about 5 thousand crore rupees. So the electricity rate per unit will increase. Consumers who are already annoyed by expensive electricity will be further hit. Annually, electricity is generated from thermal power plants.

So, the pollution caused by the gas released does not seem to make a difference. Then why it is mandatory to install FGD machine which cannot be afforded by the major builders, the question is asked from the power experts.

What is FGD mechanism?
Coal-fired power plants emit large amounts of smoke during power generation. It also contains sulfur dioxide. To reduce its amount, flue gas desulphurization machine is installed at the place where the gas comes out from the power plant.