National Mission On Use Of Biomass In Coal Based Thermal Power Plants:
The Ministry of Power has decided to set up a National Mission on the use of Biomass in coal-based thermal power plants.
- The proposed National Mission on biomass will also contribute to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
- It would further support the energy transition in the country and our targets to move towards cleaner energy sources.
- Aim:
- To address the issue of air pollution due to farm stubble-burning and to reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation.
- Objective:
- Increase the level of biomass co-firing from the present 5% to higher levels to have a larger share of carbon-neutral power generation from the thermal power plants.
- Biomass co-firing stands for adding biomass as a partial substitute fuel in high-efficiency coal boilers.
- Take up R&D (Research & Development) activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.
- Facilitate overcoming the constraints in the supply chain of biomass pellets and agro- residue and its transport up to the power plants.
- Consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.
- The Mission would have a Steering Committee headed by the Secretary (Ministry of Power) comprising all stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy etc.
- National Thermal Power Corporation Limited will play a larger role in providing logistics and infrastructure support.
- The duration of the proposed National Mission would be a minimum of 5 years.
