With the increase in population, industrialisation and urbanisation in India, particularly in Maharashtra, the demand of electricity has increased multi fold
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However, the existing growth rate of power generation is not able to meet the demands, leading to power shortage. The power shortage resulted in loss of agriculture and industrial production and therefore has an impact on GDP.
                                                                                                                     
Depleting natural fuel resources and worldwide awareness for its conservation has also increased popularity of non-conventional resources instead of conventional fuels for power generation; leaving apart the adverse environmental impacts of conventional fuels.

Following paragraphs give a brief description of the environmental impacts of proposed co-generation projects during construction and operational phases and methodology as well as results of mathematical and simulation models used in their prediction.

4.1      IMPACT DURING CONSTRUCTION PHASE  

The construction phase is expected to be one year The activities will have impact on land environment, water, air, noise level, soil quality and socio economic However, co-generation power unit doesn't involve much construction activity, therefore its impact on Air Quality Water Quality, Noise and soil will not be notable. As a matter of fact this activity will have positive impact, as far as socio-economic culture of the people of the near by site. The construction activity effect will be restricted to factory area. As there are no major trees or crops in the site, the change in land use pattern will not be significantly affected. However with establishment of the project; the vegetation coverage of the land will improve due to greenery development.

4.1.1   IMPACT DURING OPERATIONAL PHASE

The sugar and co-generation plant operational activities will have little impact on physical environment (air & water quality, noise level, cropping pattern etc.) and on socio-economic environment. The solid waste generated shall be utilized in compost manufacture and brick makers which has positive impact.                       

4.2      Impact on Physical Environment 

The impact on Air, Noise & Cropping Pattern are the dimensions of Physical environmental which are likely to be affected on account of power generation activities.