Speed Post News Network

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

The “National Mission on use of biomass in thermal power plants” will have the following objectives :

(a) 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.

(b) To take up R&D activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.

(c) To facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue and its transport up to to the power plants.

(d) To consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.

The modalities of operation and structure of the Nation Mission are under finalisation. It is being envisaged that the Mission would have a Steering Committee headed by Secretary (Power) comprising all stakeholders including representatives from Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) etc, according to a PIB release.

The Executive Committee would be headed by Member (Thermal), CEA. NTPC will play a larger role in providing logistic and infrastructure support in the proposed National Mission. The Mission would have full time officers from CEA, NTPC, DVC, and NLC or other participating organisations. The duration of proposed National Mission would be a minimum 5 years. The proposed National Mission on biomass will also contribute in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).