The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas has issued directions to regulate use of Diesel Generator (DG) Sets. These directions have revised the schedule for regulation of DG sets and shall come into effect from 1st October, 2023.
These regulations for the operations of DG sets shall apply across all sectors in the NCR including Industrial, Commercial, Residential and Office establishments. These directions are as follows:
- There are no restrictions on power generating sets of all capacities running on LPG/ Natural Gas/ Bio gas/ Propane/ Butane
- Portable DG sets (below 19 kW) will not be permitted during periods of restriction under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). They will have no restrictions other than under GRAP.
- DG sets of 19 kwW to less than i25 kW will adopt dual fuel mode (Natural Gas &% Diesel) for control of emissions. These will be permitted to run for maximum 2 hrs. in day during restrictions under GRAP subject to methodical maintenance of log of operation of DG sets, preferably in a digital mode.
- DG sets of 125 kW to less than 800 kW will adopt dual fuel mode and retro-fitted ECDs through certified vendors agencies for control of emissions. There are no restrictions on their operations even during periods under GRAP.
- DG sets of 800 kW and above will adopt dual fuel mode or any other emission control device/ System. These will be strictly subject to prescribed compliance for stack emissions. These will be permitted to run for maximum 2 hrs. in day during restrictions under GRAP subject to methodical maintenance of log of operation of DG sets, preferably in a digital mode.
- New power generating sets of all capacities up to 800 kW procured to the standards as MoEFCC notification iv. No.Q-15017/05/ 2012-CPW and GSR 804(E) 3rd November, 2022 are not subject to any restrictions even under GRAP.
Importantly, the above schedule for regulation of DG sets would come in force in the entire NCR strictly from 1st October, 2023 and Retro-fitment of dual fuel kits or ECDs, wherever warranted, must be targeted to be completed latest by 30th September, 2023, failing which the use of the Diesel genset shall not be permitted under any circumstances, anywhere in the entire NCR.