Date | Nov 20, 2016:

State-run power generation company Mahagenco has been regularly flayed for not fully utilizing its fly-ash in a scientific manner. Whatever fly-ash it uses is not transported properly and the ash spreads into the atmosphere causing air pollution. Now Mahagenco has decided to fully use the ash generated by its power stations at the plants itself. This will minimize damage to environment.

Environmentalist Sudhir Paliwal had been pursuing the state energy ministry for full and scientific utilization of fly-ash. Energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has appointed him as a director in Mahagams, a Mahagenco fly-ash utilization subsidiary, so that the state can benefit from his expertise.

TOI spoke to Paliwal to know about the company's plans. Excerpts from the interview...

Q. What was the need for forming a separate company?

A. Full and scientific utilization of fly-ash needs an innovative approach and interface with industry. Mahagenco officials don't have time to spare. So the government decided to form a separate company. Earlier, such a subsidiary was formed for mining coal. Mahagams also plans to do plantation on ash bunds.

Q. Why is full utilization of fly-ash necessary?

A. India currently generates 184 million tons (mT) fly-ash per year. Only 55.69% of it or 102.5 mT is used. By 2031 the country will generate 900 mT ash. If the utilization ratio remains the same then we will have 500 mT unutilized fly-ash per year, which is catastrophic. In Maharashtra the utilization of fly-ash is even worse. We use only 45% and remaining 55% is stored in ash ponds after mixing it with water.

India has signed the several environmental pacts including United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) is a term used under UNFCCC for reductions in greenhouse emissions that all countries that signed the UNFCCC were asked to publish in the lead up to the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris, France in December 2015. One of the clauses in INDCs was to increase the use of fly-ash to improve air quality. So the country is bound by international conventions too.

Moreover, we are spending Rs96 per ton store fly-ash in ash ponds. A thousand litre of water per ton is wasted. Now union ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) has said that power plants will have to transport ash to users within a radius of 100km free of cost. This will entail an expenditure of Rs2,000 crore per year. In a radius of 100km to 300km, Mahagenco will have to bear half the expenses for transport. This means spending another Rs1,500 crore. The company can't spare Rs3,500 crore as it will sharply increase power generation cost. Therefore, we need to use the fly-ash in the power plant premises itself. We hope to earn at least Rs500 crore from fly-ash.

Q. Why innovative approach is needed for full fly-ash utilization?

A. There is saturation in use of fly-ash for cement, bricks, line filling and roads. Huge amount of fly-ash is lying in Chandrapur, Koradi and Khaparkheda power stations as there are no users. We have decided to set up clusters of industries using fly-ash within the power plant premises. We will provide incentives to industries to set shop there. There is scope for exporting fly-ash and its products. We will help industries in obtaining the required technologies. Fortunately, ten organizations including industries have come forward to use fly-ash and help us in research work.

Q. Many experts say that fly-ash is radioactive. Doesn't this pose a health hazard?

A. We are aware of this fact. Technologies are available to keep the emission within permissible limits. For example, the new fly-ash panels are coated with cement to reduce emissions. In future better technologies will emerge.

Q. Mahagams will take care of fly-ash generated by Mahagenco power stations. What about private power plants?

A. The state government has formed a fly-ash council with chief secretary as the chairman. Mahagenco's managing director is the member secretary. This council will ensure that all power plants, private or government, fully utilize fly-ash in a scientific manner.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)