🔆 Key Takeaways: Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) Units in India 📍 🧪 What Are FGD Units? ✅ FGD units remove SO₂ from flue gas—SO₂ is acidic, and FGDs neutralise it using basic compounds. ✅ Three main types:  • Dry sorbent injection – powdered limestone reacts with SO₂; residue filtered.  • Wet limestone treatment – limestone slurry used; highly efficient and widely used.  • Seawater scrubbing – used in coastal plants, seawater absorbs SO₂, treated before discharge. 📍 🇮🇳 India’s Current Status ✅ 2015: Environment Ministry mandated FGDs in all 537 coal-fired TPPs. ✅ As of August 2024, only 39 units had FGDs installed. ✅ By April 2025, India’s coal-based power capacity was 2,19,338 MW—46% of total electricity capacity. 📍 💰 Cost & Policy Implications ✅ Installation cost: approx. ₹1.2 crore/MW. ✅ Estimated cost for 97,000 MW: ₹97,000 crore. ✅ Tariffs may increase by ₹0.72/kWh, largely due to fixed costs (over 80%). ✅ Variable cost rise remains under ₹0.1/kWh. 📍 🌱 Environmental & Health Impact ✅ SO₂ contributes to global warming and respiratory issues. ✅ Leads to secondary particulate matter (PM) formation—80% of PM linked to SO₂ from coal burning. 📍 ⚠️ No Viable Alternatives ✅ Experts affirm: no substitute for FGDs to remove SO₂ from coal emissions. ✅ Urgent compliance needed to avoid further delays and health costs. #environment