Que: Thermax has been a key player in sustainable solutions. How does the P&ES division contribute to India's decarbonization and energy efficiency goals?

Ans: Thermax’s Projects & Energy Solutions division, the EPC & O&M vertical of the business, has a legacy of being a market leader in the captive power plants and cogeneration plants segment since the past three decades. As the power generation market evolved towards clean energy, Thermax has lead the industrial decarbonisation initiative by offering alternate green technologies based EPC solutions in the following:

• Biofuels such as bio-CNG, bio-ethanol, bio-methanol, renewable DME etc.,
• Net zero technologies such as Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU),
• Energy Management Solutions (EMS) to process plants on ESCO model, and
• Value Added Services (VAS) for power plants to improve plant efficiency and performance.

We have been delivering value to our industrial customers in the energy space, and as energy transition picks up pace, P&ES is committed to partner with our customers in helping them achieve their energy transition goals with these low carbon intensity solutions and services.

Que: With the increasing focus on green energy, how do you see the role of EPC evolving in the coming years?

Ans: P&ES, in its earlier avatar as the Power division, had pioneered the EPC mode of project delivery for our industrial customers, followed by O&M services. This approach allowed them to focus their efforts on main process plant. The association, therefore, has been on plant life cycle basis.

Now with emerging technologies, the entire ecosystem is becoming more and more complex. Clients are looking for a partner who can understand these complexities, design a solution that can lead to a feasible installation on ground. Projects and Energy Solutions, with its vast EPC experience and industry understanding brings this capability to the forefront. P&ES has the capability to deliver the world class EPC solutions, with high performance and least lifetime cost.

Que: With stricter emission norms, how is Thermax innovating in Flue Gas Desulfurization to help power plants comply with environmental regulations?

Ans: Thermax, backed by its strong innovation capabilities, is leading the way in Flue Gas Desulfurisation (FGD) technology.

We are deploying several key innovations to enhance FGD performance including:
• Advanced FGD technology: Thermax’s wet FGD system (spray tower) uses an efficient limestone slurry with forced oxidation (LSFO) process to produce gypsum while removing the SO₂ from flue gases. These systems are designed to meet high efficiency standards and ensures compliance to the latest environmental norms (≤ 100 mg/Nm3 @ 6% O2 dry basis).
• Enhanced scrubbing efficiency: The spray tower technology we deploy, enhances the interaction between flue gases and scrubbing liquid by using ALRD (Absorber Liquid Redistribution Device) that too without significant change in the pressure drop. It consumes lesser auxiliary power, and best-in-class absorption efficiencies can be achieved with Thermax spray tower technology. Like SO2 absorption - 95-99%, HCl absorption > 99%, HF absorption > 99%
• In line with Thermax’s brand promise, ‘Conserving Resources, Preserving the Future,’ our spray tower technology utilises optimal resources, like water and limestone. While minimising the wastewater generation, it maximises the gypsum generation
• Customisation for various coals: Thermax spray tower technology caters to the requirements of different coal qualities. This adaptability allows plants to meet the regulations even as the source of coal changes. If low sulphur coal is used in the designed system, the emission regulations can be met while consuming lesser auxiliary power. Thermax spray tower technology can also cater to the emission requirements for lignite firing in the boiler
• Thermax has developed a new wet stack design with borosilicate lining directly on the RCC chimney and executed it successfully
• Thermax's innovative design utilises a lesser footprint for the installation of the FGD system. Typical area required is about 20-25m2 per MW

Currently, Thermax’s FGD technology is being deployed across 5,030 MW in India, eliminating 3.1 Lakh tonnes of SO₂ annually (39 tons per hour). Through these innovations, we help power plants meet regulatory requirements and contribute to a cleaner, sustainable energy landscape.

Que: With industries seeking energy independence, how does Thermax's Captive Power Plant (CPP) offer to support their transition towards reliable and sustainable energy?

Ans: Thermax continues to innovate its offerings of captive, cogeneration and waste heat recovery based power plants with next generation technology boilers, water treatment plant, emission control systems etc. Our captive power plants can handle variety of biomasses, industrial solid wastes and segregated municipal wastes and other green fuel partially or completely based on the requirements. This brings in the flexibility for the thermal power to balance reliability and sustainability.

Our waste heat and flue gas recovery based power generation for cement and steel industry support our customers reduce their Carbon Intensity (CI). In addition to the plant delivery, Thermax P&ES continue supporting the customer with our Value Added Services for plant upgradation, heat rate and productivity improvements, thereby further contributing to reduction of CI.

Que: What role do digitalisation and Al-driven analytics play in optimising energy management in industrial plants?

Ans: Thermax has developed the Thermax EDGE Live®, an advanced digital platform for enterprise asset management and performance improvement, powered by AI, Machine Learning and Thermax engineered algorithms. This is used for real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and expert recommendations that redefine operational efficiency of plants.

The hallmark of EDGE Live lies in its ability to proactively identify anomalies, enabling plant operators to act before potential issues escalate into costly failures. By combining cutting-edge machine learning (ML)-based models with over 25 years of deep domain expertise in power O&M, EDGE Live is a solution designed to optimise every aspect of asset performance.
Beyond addressing specific issues, the system enhances overall asset reliability, reduces unplanned downtime, and drives significant cost savings, benefits that resonate deeply with every stakeholder in the energy ecosystem.

The platform is designed not only for immediate results but also for sustained performance improvements over time. By identifying and addressing inefficiencies early, EDGE Live helps our customers achieve significant energy savings, contributing to their environmental and financial goals. It embodies Thermax’s commitment to combining technology and expertise to deliver unparalleled value.

At Thermax, we envision a future where power plants are not only more efficient but also equipped with the intelligence to anticipate and adapt to challenges. EDGE Live is a testament to this vision, transforming the way industries manage their energy needs.

With more than 200 unique customers across industries with 4,000+ assets under management, Thermax EDGE Live® helps our customers with in time intervention to avoid possible failure and save not only millions of rupees, but also safeguarding the valuable assets!

Que: What has Thermax’s experience been at IEW so far and how do events like this contribute to the growth and collaboration within India's energy sector?

Ans: Building on the success of IEW 2024, which set the stage for critical policy dialogues and strategic industry partnerships, IEW 2025 elevated the discourse, bringing together global energy leaders, key PSUs, and private enterprises. The event showcased breakthrough solutions in hydrogen, biofuels, net-zero technologies, and AI-driven energy management, reaffirming India's pivotal role in shaping the future energy landscape.

There are many innovations and new offerings in the frontier areas. Like last year, Thermax had taken up a booth space for engaging with customers and visitors, showcasing our energy and sustainability solutions.

The IEW platform is a wonderful networking event and holds excellent potential for forging collaborations in the energy sector. For e.g. M/s. Futuria Fuels (a subsidiary of SHV Netherlands), had connected with Thermax P&ES in the last year’s IEW event in Goa, and subsequently Futuria Fuels partnered with Thermax for the development of a Renewable Di-Methyl Ether (r-DME) project in India. R-DME is a green fuel blend / low carbon substitute for fossil LPG. In this year’s IEW event, Futuria Fuels along with Thermax, delivered a talk on ‘Exploring r-DME production in India’ in the World Liquid Gas Association Forum.

There have been several similar engagements with other companies in the energy space at all IEW events that have created new relationships and possibilities for business going ahead.