Question : Use of Biomass in Power Plants

(a) whether the Government has undertaken any comprehensive study to increase the use of biomass in coal-powered thermal power plants;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the other steps, if any, taken by the Government to achieve carbon neutral power generation from the thermal power plants;

(c) whether the Government proposes to increase the amount of biomass used in coal power plants; and

(d) if so, the steps taken to handle the higher amount of co-firing of biomass with coal in pulverised coal fired boilers in that case?

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (d) : NTPC Ltd., a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under Ministry of Power (MoP) has successfully demonstrated co-firing of biomass at its Dadri Thermal Power Station over a period of time. Following steps have also been taken by MoP towards use of bio-mass in generation from the coal based thermal power plants (TPPs):

i. In November, 2017, MoP issued a policy regarding “Biomass Utilization for Power Generation through co-firing in Coal-based power plants” wherein all fluidized bed and pulverized coal units (coal based TPPs) located in India were advised to endeavor to use 5-10% blend of biomass pellets made, primarily, of agro residue along-with coal after assessing the technical feasibility, viz. safety aspects etc.

ii. In order to further promote use of biomass pellets in coal based TPPs, MoP revised the above policy in October, 2021 to mandatorily co-fire the suitable biomass pellets in the range of 5% to 7% in all coal based power plants depending upon their type of milling system.

iii. MoP has established a National Mission on Use of Biomass in Thermal Power Plants (NMBTPP) in July, 2021 to expedite the utilization of biomass in TPPs.

iv. A specialized Sub-Group has also been constituted under the aegis of NMBTPP to deal with Research and Development (R&D) on Boiler design and safety aspects for higher amount of co-firing of biomass.

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