China's
environmental authorities are mulling over stiff new emissions standards
for thermal power plants amid concerns that they may increase costs and
lead to more losses.
The new standards, consistent with an
earlier version issued in January, will be released for public
consultation in late August, according to the Ministry of Environment
Protection.
In the latest version, the nitrogen
oxide emission cap limit will be cut by half to 100 milligrams per cubic
meter for thermal plants with denitration facilities or designed to have
such facilities.
Sulphur
dioxide emissions is limited to 100 milligrams per cubic meter for
newly-built thermal plants.
The new version will add emission
standards for air pollutants and mercury emissions in key areas, according
to the ministry.
The ministry consulted with major power
companies and environmental protection agencies before releasing the
earlier version in January.
Industry insiders say stricter standards
will be good news for denitration facility manufacturers with advanced
technologies as they will take advantage in this booming market.
The environmental authorities said the
country might have difficulties in capping nitrogen oxide emissions in the
second half of this year, most of which are emitted by thermal plants.
The government so far has no plan to
increase power prices in order to subsidise thermal plants for more
expenditures on denitration facilities due to fears that it may cause more
inflationary pressure.
The stricter standards have triggered
concern that they might force thermal plants to spend more on pollutant
processing facilities and hence increase the financial burden on those
that are already in the red.
China
's
top five power companies in the thermal power sector posted a
18.1-billion-yuan (US$2.8 billion) loss in the January-July period, 11.3
billion yuan more than the same period last year, according to a report by
the China Electricity Council.
Source:
Xinhua
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