ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS REVIEW OF POWER SECTOR IN A.P.

The Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) conducted a study on the "Environmental status of power sector in AP". The study made the following observations :

1. Indigenous coal continues to be the mainstay of the thermal power plants with percentage of ash ranging from 35% to 50%. The availability of coal from Singareni coalfields is likely to be severely constrained in view of the limited potential for augmenting production from these mines.

2. There is a marked increase projected in the estimated gross emissions of oxides of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen from the year 1997 to 2015. For example, the sulphur dioxide emissions are estimated to increase from 180 kilo tonnes in 1997 to about 800 kilo tonnes in the year 2015. Ash generation may also dramatically go up signalling the possibility of severe ash handling problems. The actual figures which are 70 million tonnes for the year 1997 may read something like 300 million tonnes for the year 2015. Places like Ramagundam and Kothagudem have the potential for creating large quantities of air pollutants which will have serious local and regional impact.

3. The contribution of wind and mini Hydel Power Systems has been minimal so far despite their potential. On the other hand, large hydel projects involve submergence of good forest areas and human habitations and hence require careful consideration.