China to tighten emission standards for thermal plants

China will tighten emission standards for thermal power plants to curb worsening environmental degradation.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection reported that emissions allowances for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and soot for thermal power plants would be reduced, while mercury discharges from coal burning and emissions from gas-fired boilers would also be restricted for the first time, reports Reuters.

China had 707 gigawatts of thermal power generating capacity at the end of 2010, accounting for 73 percent of overall power generating capacity. A majority of the plants use coal as fuel and half of China's coal output is used for power generation.

The new standards, which will take effect from January 1, 2012, may involve about 260 billion yuan or $40.74 billion in new investments for power companies by 2015 to meet several key requirements.