Evironmental Policy (Unwritten)

1. Comply with relevant environmental legislations and regulatory requirements for establishment and operation of the power stations.
2. Commitment to continual improvement in the environmental performance to ensure protection of environment, preservation of ecology, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development.
3. Provide adequate facilities, framework to achieve environmental objectives and targets.

EIA and Development of EMP

Keeping in view the environmental policy, Environmental Impact Assessments are carried out for individual stations and Environmental Management Plans are developed for implementation during construction and operation phases.

Pollution Control Systems

High efficiency Electro-static Precipitators (ESPs) are installed to control Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in the flue gas. All new plants are designed for SPM level of 100 mg/Nm3. Old units are upgraded or under upgradation for 50/115 mg/Nm3 against APPCB limit of 115 mg/Nm3. Latest micro processor based EPIC-II controllers are installed for improvement of collection efficiency and reduction of power consumption. Online flue gas dust monitoring systems are installed at VTPS, RTPP and KTPS Stage-V.

Coal Plant & other plant effluent is treated in the Settling Tanks. Plant and colony Sewage is treated in the septic tanks. Oxidation pond is provided at RTPP for better treatment of sewage. At other stations like VTPS “Activated sludge treatment with diffused Aeration” is under contemplation. Effective De-cantation systems are provided in the ash ponds to control suspended solids. Suspended solids in the ash pond outlet effluent are below 50 ppm against standard of 100 ppm.

Re-circulation and Re-use system is provided at RTPP and at other stations such systems are under contemplation.

AFFORESTATION

Green belt is provided with different species to act as sink for absorbing pollutants, sound barrier and to maintain Bio-diversity. About 4 lakh plants are available at all stations.

SAFETY AND HEALTH MEASURES

APGENCO developed Safety and Health standards based on Factories Act 1947, Workmen Compensation Act and other Health and Safety Acts of UK and USA and safety measures are being implemented.

ASH UTILISATION

The annual generation of fly ash from Thermal Power Plants of APGENCO is presently around 6.8 million tons/annum. APGENCO has been implementing following measures.

• Dry fly ash & pond ash are issued free of cost to all consumers
• Brick plants are set up at VTPS, KTPS and RTPP
• Research and field tests are underway through Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) and Department of Agriculture, GOAP to establish benefits with fly ash use for agriculture for all crops in the different agro-climate zones of Andhra Pradesh.
• Feasibility of ash stowing to mines is under study.Ash utilization has witnessed improvement year by year as shown in the bar chart.

INSTITUTIONAL FRAME WORK

Corporate and Project level Environmental management cells are functioning to achieve objectives of environmental policy.

MONITORING, REVIEW AND REPORTING SYSTEM

Environmental audits are conducted, environmental performance is monitored and reports submitted to regulatory agencies.

ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION

APGENCO is in the process of being certified for ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems in a phased manner at its thermal power stations such as Vijayawada Thermal Power Station, Rayalaseema Thermal Power Project, Kothagudem Thermal Power Station Stage-V and Kothagudem Thermal Power Station (Old). ISO 14001 Certification process has started at Rayalaseema Thermal Power Project during June 2003 and is expected to be completed by September 2004. At other thermal power stations certification process will be taken up in a phased manner.

GOALS TO BE ACHIEVED

• To achieve emission standards at all thermal power stations by undertaking suitable up gradation/modifications in the system.
• To achieve effluents standards at all thermal power stations by adopting suitable treatment systems.
• To ensure zero discharge of effluents from the plants by installing re-cycling and re-use systems at major power plants i.e. VTPS and KTPS.
• To develop ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems for major thermal power stations of APGENCO.
• To achieve ash utilization as per action plans submitted to the MOE&F notification dated 14-09-1999.
• To Develop greenbelt in the wider area by adding considerable number of trees every year at power stations.
• To strengthen the Environmental Management cells, its performance in monitoring and auditing, providing excellent laboratory equipment and analytical tools and by providing training on the relevant aspects.