At the Mouda Thermal Power Plant in Nagpur, one of the four chimneys has begun releasing steam instead of smoke, marking a clear shift in the plant’s environmental performance. This change follows the activation of a flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) system, which removes sulphur dioxide from flue gases by injecting limestone. The process produces gypsum as a by-product that is supplied to cement manufacturers.

Plant officials confirmed that the FGD system has been commissioned on the first chimney, with all four expected to be equipped by mid-2026. This puts the plant ahead of the national 2029 deadline for FGD installation across major thermal stations.

Part of NTPC’s broader green energy transition

The Mouda facility is being developed as a major green energy hub for the Vidarbha region. The visible shift from smoke to steam is part of NTPC’s larger plan to transition from coal-heavy generation to a more diversified portfolio, including renewables, hydrogen and low-carbon fuels.

A senior official noted that the plant originally operated with 2,000 MW of thermal capacity, while NTPC’s total generation has now crossed 84,000 MW. The company is targeting 30 GW of renewable capacity by 2047 as part of its long-term decarbonisation goals.

Project head Himmat Chauhan explained that Mouda falls under the “Category C” emissions zone, which allows the FGD system installation to progress with fewer restrictions. He added that the transformation illustrates India’s clean energy progress and shows how traditional power plants can reduce emissions while maintaining reliability.

Source: 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/steam-not-smoke-billows-from-mouda-ntpc-chimney-as-green-shift-begins/articleshow/125419371.cms