'Govt should reassess plan to replace old power plants with

The government needs to re-examine its plan of replacing old power plants with super critical units as the country is already reeling under drought and producing coal-based energy is a highly water-intensive process, Greenpeace India today said.
"The government needs to re-examine its plans of replacing old power plants with super-critical units, as coal's impact on air, water and health is a burden that the country cannot afford anymore.
"Moreover, coal-based energy is a highly water-intensive process and colossal quantity of water is being allocated to thermal power plants in a country that is already reeling under drought," the NGO said in a statement.

It also welcomed the Central Electricity Commission's Chairman's statement that "indicated" phasing out aging coal- fired power plants and described it as a "step in the right direction".
As a solution, the Power Ministry should look to replacing them with renewable energy sources so that the country is able to achieve its 40 per cent renewable energy target by 2030 as per the commitments made in the Paris Agreement, it said.
"The stricter emission standards and water consumption rules were notified in December 2015. The rules are significant steps towards mitigating the air pollution crisis.
"However the government's laggard approach in laying down a clear plan for implementation is not in line towards solving the air pollution crisis," said Sunil Dahiya, campaigner, Greenpeace India.

The government must announce a time-bound plan for implementing the standards, which includes phasing out old and polluting thermal power plants, Dahiya said.