NATIONAL MISSION ON USE OF BIOMASS IN THERMAL POWER PLANTS

Subject : Economy / Governance

Context : Ministry of Power has decided to set up a National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants.

Concept :

Mission objectives:

To increase the level of co-firing from present 5% to higher levels to have a larger share of carbon neutral power generation from the thermal power plants.
To take up R&D activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.
To facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue and its transport upto to the power plants.
To consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.

Features:

The Mission would have a Steering Committee headed by Secretary (Power) comprising of all stakeholders including representatives from Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) etc.
The Executive Committee would be headed by Member (Thermal), CEA.
The duration of proposed National Mission would be a minimum 5 years.

Significance of the Proposed Mission

It would address the issue of air pollution due to farm stubble burning and to reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation.
This would further support the energy transition in the country and our targets to move towards cleaner energy sources.
It will also contribute in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).