Govt takes steps towards biomass use in coal-based TPPs

11 Feb 2022 CW Team

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has taken additional measures towards the use of biomass in generation from the coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs).

NTPC Ltd, a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of Power (MoP) has successfully displayed co-firing of biomass at its Dadri Thermal Power Station over some time.

In November 2017, MoP released a policy concerning Biomass Utilisation for Power production via co-firing in Coal-based power facilities wherein all fluidised bed and pulverised coal units (coal-based TPPs) situated in India were advised to try to use a 5-10% blend of biomass pellets made, mainly, of agro residue along-with coal after assessing the technical feasibility, viz safety elements etc.

To further stimulate the use of biomass pellets in coal-based TPPs, MoP modified the above policy in October 2021 to compulsorily co-fire suitable biomass pellets in the range of 5% to 7% in all coal-based power facilities depending upon their type of milling system.

MoP has set up a National Mission on Use of Biomass in Thermal Power Plants (NMBTPP) in July 2021 to facilitate the utilisation of biomass in TPPs.

A specialised Sub-Group has additionally been formed under the aegis of NMBTPP to deal with Research and Development (R&D) on Boiler design and safety elements for the higher amount of co-firing of biomass.

This data was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and Minister of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

Also read: NTPC orders 9,30,000 tonnes of biomass pellets

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