Regulator’s Foreword

Thermal power continues to play a critical role in India’s electricity system, providing reliable and continuous power to support economic growth, industrial activity and grid stability. Even as the country advances towards a diversified and lower-carbon energy mix, both utility-scale thermal power plants and captive power plants remain essential for meeting base-load demand and supporting industrial competitiveness. Strengthening environmental performance across all thermal power installations has therefore become a shared regulatory priority and an operational necessity.

Environmental oversight of the thermal power sector has evolved towards outcome-based compliance, continuous monitoring and transparency. Regulatory expectations now extend beyond one-time interventions to sustained environmental performance supported by credible data, robust governance systems and consistent on-ground implementation. Key focus areas include emissions monitoring and data integrity, water stewardship and Zero Liquid Discharge compliance, scientifically managed fly ash and gypsum handling, integrated waste management and alignment with environmental governance and ESG frameworks.

Across the sector, common environmental challenges are being experienced in different operational contexts. Fly ash continues to be the largest solid waste stream from coal-based power generation, requiring sustained utilisation, safe handling and remediation of legacy ash ponds. Gypsum management has emerged as an important secondary waste challenge, necessitating structured approaches for storage, evacuation and end-use integration. Water stress and ZLD compliance have become critical determinants of operational continuity, particularly in water-scarce regions. At the same time, Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) have placed emissions data accuracy, reliability and transparency at the centre of regulatory evaluation and public accountability.

Environment Excellence – 2026 is conceived as a focused, policy-aligned platform to address these shared environmental priorities in an integrated manner. Structured around six unified focus areas—Emissions Monitoring & CEMS, Fly Ash Management, Gypsum Management, Water Stewardship & ZLD, Integrated Waste Management & Environmental Governance, and Environmental Performance Benchmarking & Continuous Improvement—the conference aims to facilitate informed, solution-oriented dialogue grounded in real operational experience across both utility and captive power plants.

The Environment Excellence Awards complement the conference by recognising organisations and power plants that demonstrate credible leadership, innovation and measurable improvement in environmental performance across these focus areas. By highlighting verifiable outcomes and replicable practices, the awards seek to promote benchmarking, peer learning and continuous improvement across the thermal power sector.

As environmental expectations continue to rise alongside operational and economic pressures, constructive engagement between regulators, policymakers and industry stakeholders is essential. Environment Excellence Conference & Awards – 2026 seeks to contribute to this process by strengthening dialogue, reinforcing accountability and supporting the adoption of effective environmental management practices—while recognising the continued role of thermal power in India’s energy security and industrial development.

With this backdrop, Mission Energy Foundation is pleased to host the 10th Edition of Exclusive Residential Conference & Awards Environment Excellence – 2026, scheduled for 23-24 April 2026 at Aralea Beach Resort, Morjim, Goa.