Economy & Market

Green Agenda

Published

10 years ago

October 31, 2016

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The new environmental norms which the power sector has to adhere to come with their own set of technological challenges. For the first time ever, schools have been shut in the first week of November 2016 in New Delhi and citizens are rushing to buy air purifiers as sensors show alarming levels of air toxicity. Why has the situation come to such a pass?
The heavy concentration of particulate matter is greatly affected by meteorological conditions. In winters, cool air causes ‘inversions’ that make the air stagnant and trap pollution close to the ground. Air flow patterns from Afghanistan and Pakistan pick up emissions as they move over the densely urbanised regions of Punjab and Haryana where farmers burn straw in their fields and pull this pollution into Delhi.
Pre-monsoon dust storms also contribute to air pollution in the region. These are some of the opinions expressed by environmentalists. Ref. Figure 1
The role played by thermal power plants is significant in worsening air quality. The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF & CC) announced the revised standards for controlling pollution in December 2015, considering the deterioration of ambient air quality. The proposed standards are strict, but can be achieved if the compliance plan is executed correctly. The revised standards, which are quite comparable with international standards, aim to cut emissions of particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and mercury. In addition, the new norms also require power plants to sharply curtail the use of water.
In December 2015, MoEF & CC announced standards for coal-based thermal power plants, which are given below. Ref. Table 1
There are commercial implications of executing the change. The most important one being of finance for the investment required and cost recovery through tariff. The time lines issued by the ministry are tight, but achievable.
In case any additional time is required for implementation of the change, this permission may be granted on a case-to-case basis. Plants under construction need to change the design and plans to meet the new norms from 1st January 2017, which would be a challenge. Technology options
Investments in plants/units that have exceeded their design life of 25 years must be made carefully, considering their efficiency and availability, post revamp. A majority of such plants will have to be shut down. Basic up-gradation targeting mainly PM control may, however, suffice in the interim. Plants with good operating performance, low cost of generation and recent repairs & maintenance that would have extended remaining life may be allowed to invest so that they can meet the new standards. Particulate matter (PM)
Units commissioned between 1990 and 2008 may need to upgrade the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) to meet the PM norms of 100 and 50 mg/Nm3.
In some cases, it may involve adding fields in series or parallel or increasing the height of the ESP. The units installed after 2008 are required to meet PM norms of 50 mg/Nm3. Therefore, a basic performance revamp may suffice for these units. However, some units are required to meet 100-150 mg/Nm3 and others are poorly performing – these units may require huge investment.
Power plants under construction should be able to meet the 30 mg/Nm3 PM standard with a combination of ESP and FGD (flue gas desulphurisation) In fact, an integrated design would mean that the ESP size can be made smaller than a standalone one for meeting the norm.Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Units of size less than 500 MW installed between 1990 and 2016 need to meet the SOx norm of 600 mg/Nm3. These units may choose options such as partial FGD or sorbent injection.
Units of size 500 MW and more, installed between 1990 and 2016, have to install limestone-based wet FGD or lime-based dry FGD, depending on raw material and water availability. FGD is a mature technology for controlling SOx. It is used in many countries and has been shown to be effective for a wide range of coal qualities and operating conditions. China has installed FGD in over 91.4 per cent of its fleet in recent years. Upcoming units can meet the SOx standard by installing FGD.Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
Minimal measures are needed to meet emissions of less than 600 mg/Nm3. Some units are already meeting these levels. The units installed after 2003 have to reduce emissions to 300 mg/Nm3. Manufacturers, including BHEL, have already been supplying boilers that meet these emissions. Those plants whose emissions exceed the norms will need to choose from several options including burner modification, over fire air supply (OFA) etc., depending on the base level of emissions and technical constraints.
Upcoming units need to meet the NOx emissions of 100 mg/Nm3 SCR (Selective Catalyst Reduction) and SNCR (Selective Non-Catalyst Reduction) technologies, which have been used globally to cut NOx to these levels. Some industry players, however, feel that the technology’s effectiveness needs to be established for Indian coal (high ash, chemical composition and physical characteristics). NTPC will run five pilot programmes to assess the technology. Suppliers are confident that the technology will work with possibly minor tweaks.
The coal-based power sector is in the midst of a major transition across the world. China, for instance, has decided not to build new coal-fired plants after 2030. India, on its part, has put in place tighter environmental standards and hiked its coal cess by eight times within two years. Says Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director-General of Centre For Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, "The world is faced by relatively newer challenges, including that of a changing climate – this means countries need to have flexible, nimble energy policies."
In addition to the monitoring of individual parameters, the power plants will have CEMS(Continuous Emission Monitoring System). Developed countries such as the US, EU and Japan as well as a few emerging economies like Brazil and China have already adopted CEMS. The Central Pollution Control Board will be the authority that will drive the implementation.
Priyavrat Bhati of CSE adds, "Some basic requirements for successfully implementing CEMS – such as skilled laboratories and human power or comprehensive guidelines for device selection, etc., are still lacking in India." This creates multiple implementation challenges which must be urgently resolved. While CEMS has been initiated as pilots in three states, fundamental issues are yet to be resolved. For instance, manufacturers express their concern over the unavailability of standards in India for getting themselves certified as accredited device manufacturers. It goes without saying that the changes are equally applicable to captive power plants irrespective of their capacity to generate power.

Table 1: Standards (in mg/Nm3)

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

1 week ago

October 9, 2026

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Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing.

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities.

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations.

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events.

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders.

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem.

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

Published

1 week ago

October 8, 2026

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With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA,
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.