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INDIA CASESTUDY3 Natural Gas Based Power Plant PDF
INDIA CASESTUDY3 Natural Gas Based Power Plant PDF
Produced for AED’s training program under the USAID SARI/Energy project, by the
School of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (schEMS) in Nepal,
with support from IRG Systems South Asia
1.0 Description of Project
Tamil Nadu is one of the states in India suffering from power deficit. The demand of energy
is expected to increase by 5% requiring an additional capacity of 2058 MW within the next
five years. Out of the existing installed capacity of 8249 MW, 64% is contributed by the
government sector while the remaining 12% and 24% are contributed by private sectors and
central government. Under the framework of power policy of Government of Tamil Nadu,
involvement of private sector entrepreneurs is encouraged to develop power in order to
reduce the power shortage in the State. This proposal is one of the responses of the policy
under which the private-sector proponent has proposed to install Combined Cycle Power
Plant (CCPP) to generate 52.8 MW at Vazhuthur of Ramanathapuram district. The cost for
the proposed project is estimated to be 246 corers. However, environmental clearance is
required and therefore, a Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (CEIA) and
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) of the proposed project have been conducted.
The proposed power project is located at about 1km South of Vazhuthur village and 3km
North-East of Valantharavi village of Ramanathapuram district and it covers an area of
18.11 acres of agricultural land. The proposed site is located 13th Km from
Ramanathapuram-Rameswaram Highway. The nearest railway station is Ramanathapuram
and Airport is Madurai located at a distance of 110 Km Northwest of the site. The nearest
seaport is 120 Km Southwest of the proposed site.
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o Recommend mitigative measures to address adverse environmental impacts;
§ To recommend a post-project monitoring plan;
§ To obtain statutory clearance from MEF, GOI.
Topography and land use - The present topography of the study area is a coastal plain with
sandy terrain where 30% of the buffer zone is occupied by sea. In the core area few small
sand dunes were observed. Proposed project will be operationlized in 18.11 acres of land
34% of which will be utilized for project activities and 30% for developing greenbelt.
Air Quality: The potential for air pollution arises from fugitive emissions and impacts due
to usage of natural gas. Therefore, dispersion of pollutants released into the atmosphere has
significant impacts on the surrounding environment. These impacts have been
superimposed on the present ambient air-quality parameters to find out the net impacts in
the atmosphere. To mitigate the adverse impacts, an environment management plan has
been prepared.
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Water Resources: Wastewater generation from the proposed power plant will be
conducted from different sources like Waste Heat Recovery Boiler (WHRB) blow down,
service water, potable water, evaporation cooler, filter back wash and DM plant reject will
be treated by effluent treatment plant while the treated water will be used for development
of greenbelt. The waste oil from transformer yard, powerhouse area and engines will be
collected and recovered.
Noise Level: DG sets are the sources of noise generation. The noise-level shall be
maintained within the stipulated limit and mitigation measures will be proposed.
Ecology
The Gulf of Mannara Marine Biosphere Reserve is a unique ecosystem, with over 9 species
of live corals and harbouring a rich variety of fauna. Based on the survey of all the islands,
the degree of human interference in the Biosphere was determined. The local people are
exploiting animal species including fishes. Corals and Seaweeds are present in abundance,
however their exploitation has exceeded the limitation. The yearly harvesting of these
resources reaches up to 5000-7000 of dry weight. Dense growth of Mangroves exists in the
coastal area; however, massive felling of these trees for different purposes has created
enormous effects in the coastal ecosystem.
Socio-Economic Conditions:
The proposed project will utilize skilled manpower for operation and maintenance of the
plant. Thus, employment opportunities will be created for the educated/skilled manpower of
the region. The project will give a push to the other industrial/commercial avenues in this
region, which will lead to the creation higher income in the region.
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Pollution Control Board (SPCB) are the designated agencies to perform these functions at
the state level.
The penalties set under this act are imprisonment, which may extend up to 5 months and/or
fines up to rupees hundred thousand. Incase of continuing offences, fines of Rs. 5000 per
day may be charged.
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The Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 1994
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India notified the Impact (EIA)
Notification, 1994 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per the notification, 30
types of industries scheduled therein have to obtain the environmental clearance from the
Government of India. Any organization, which desires to undertake any new project or
expansion or modernization of any existing industry or project, with investment of more
than Rs.5 crores, requires conducting an environmental impact assessment. These projects
require an environmental clearance from the central government. The clearance granted is
valid for a period of five years from commencement of the construction or operation of the
project. No construction work, preliminary or otherwise, relating to the set up of the project
may be undertaken till the environmental and/or site clearance is obtained.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, as amended in 1987 to 99
The general legislative conditions of this act are similar to the Water Act in terms of
obligations, responsibilities and penalties. The primary responsibility for controlling air
pollution resides with the SPCB. Under the Air Act, the state governments are authorized to
designate any area or areas within the state as an air pollution control area, after consulting
with the SPCB and notifying the official gazette. Depending upon the quality of air in the
designated area(s), the SPCB may set air emission standards in the notified area. The
standards set by the SPCBs shall not be more lenient than the ambient air standards set by
the CPCB. Any industry to be established in the air pollution control area must acquire the
consent to establish and consent to operate from the state.
Other rules, which may be applicable from case to case, are as follows:
§ The Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989;
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§ The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules (MSIHC),
1989 (amended in October 1994 and January 2000);
§ Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;
§ The National Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995;
§ Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness & Response) Rules, 1996;
§ The Factories Act, 1948, (amendment in 1976 and 1987);
§ The Petroleum Act, 1934 and rules framed there under;
§ The Motor Vehicles Act (amended in 1988);
§ Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981;
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India had earlier notified through
the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 1994, the types of industries
which are required to obtain the environmental clearance from the Government of India. As
per the amendment Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, 30 dated 10.04.1997 issued in the
EIA Notification, 1994, the Government of Tamilnadu issued orders for constituting public
hearing panels to consider the views of the public on these projects. Public hearings are
being conducted from the month of May 1998 onwards in the respective District
Collectorates for the applications received for setting up certain specified
industries/projects. On the recommendations of the public hearing panels, TNPCB issues
No Objection Certificate (NOC) to such industries/projects. With the NOC of the Board and
the EIA report, the proponents have to approach the Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India or state government depending on the size of the project for obtaining
environmental clearance. After production of environmental clearance obtained from the
Government of India or state government, consent to establish is issued by the Board.
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An index is obtained in Environmental Impact Units (EIU) for each alternative and baseline
environmental condition (i.e. EIU without and with project). The EIU with project has
farther been evaluated for with and without EMP.
The identified parameters have been distributed into four major categories, viz. Ecology,
Environmental pollution, Aesthetics, and Human interest. A score of 1000 has been divided
into each of these categories. The resultant numerical evaluation has been described.
Fly Ash
The dumping of fly ash slurry into the sea resulted not only into filing up of an extensive
portion of the bay but also into letting out of ash directly into the open sea. The ash, on being
carried far into the sea caused irreversible extensive damage to the sedimentary biota, Algel
beds. Chank, Corals, Pearl oysters, and to all the biota connected with Reefs.
Oil Pollution
Normally, various activities responsible for oil pollution in the coastal environment are: oil
exploration, oil refining, oil transport, oil spills etc. In the proposed power project, none of
the activities are involved. The let-out water from compressor and waste oil generated are
collected and sold out to authorized dealers. Hence, the chance of oil pollution in the coastal
region is eliminated.
Pesticide Pollution
There is no possibility of generation of effluents containing pesticides from the operation of
proposed project.
Microbiological Pollution
Sewage containing human excreta is the major source of pathogenic bacteria. The state of
the coastal waters is judged based on the number of E.coli present in it. In addition to it,
discharge of untreated domestic sewage, industrial wastes to the coastal waters are the
factors responsible for the microbiological pollution of coastal waters. At present, the
domestic effluents generated is around 21.5 MLD only and the effluent will be suitably
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treated to meet the standard prescribed by the statutory authorities before it is used for
gardening within the industrial complex.
Environmental Pollution
The proposed project runs in eco-friendly manner by using Natural gas as a fuel and it will
not generate any trade effluent. The wastewater generated will come from the domestic
usage, evaporative cooler, WHRB etc. However, such effluents will be treated to meet the
standard.
The effect on ambient air quality will be minimum. Natural gas will not contribute to the
suspended particulates. A marginal increase in the gaseous pollutants such as SO2 and NOx,
is expected. The proposed project does not have any impact over the land use and on the
buffer zone.
The proposed project does not have any impact on the soil chemistry, soil erosion, and soil
fertility. Noise pollution due to the movement of vehicles during construction activities is
expected. However, the following measures will minimize the noise level:
§ Maintenance of vehicle, plying in the project area,
§ Development of thick canopy of plantation around project premises,
§ Installment of modern generator with less noise.
Aesthetics
The proposed power plant will not change any topographic feature. The proposed greenbelt
development around the site will enhance the diversity of vegetation. Noise level will be
marginally increased due to increased activity. The anticipated composite effect due to the
proposed power plant has a majority of overall positive impacts from aesthetic point.
Human Interest
There will be a number of job opportunities available to the local people during the
constructional stage and after commissioning qualified person belonging to this region will
be given priority.
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Noise
On site v v
Off site v v
Ecology
Flora v v
Fauna v v
Socio-economic Environment
Social fabric v
Health v
Education v v
Infrastructure v v
Occupation v v
Pattern
Economy v v
Aesthetic
Scenery v v
Structures v v
An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been proposed by the project proponent.
The (EMP) provides a conceptual framework to reduce or mitigate predicted environmental
impacts of the project. Following are the proposed measures for improving the overall
environmental management of the site.
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10. Organization Setup
Conclusion:
State government has provided the environmental clearance to the project proposal and the
project will be implemented shortly.
12.0 Bibliography
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§ The Motor Vehicles Act As Amended In 1988, Government of India
§ Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981, Government of India
§ EIA Notification, 1994 Issued Under Ep Act, 1981, Ministry of Environment &
Forests, Government of India.
Contact Details
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