Pollution control in coal-based thermal power plants will cost money, but benefits will outweigh
How much could an Indian consumer end up paying if the coal-fired power plants install the latest technology to control toxic emissions? A recent study has revealed that it would cost the plant owners anywhere between Rs 730-860 billion (Rs 73,000-86,000 crore) for installing technology to control sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter among other pollutants. The authors of the study explained that this investment, on average, could translate in an increase of Rs 0.6 per unit of electricity for the consumers. It emphasised that the investments and operational costs required for installing such devices would increase the cost of electricity generated by coal power plants by Rs 0.32-0.72 per kWh, which means an increase of 9 -.....