The Ministry of Power (MoP) has asked all states and union territories (UTs) to formulate time-bound plans to ensure the utilisation of biomass for co-firing in thermal power plants ahead of the Kharif harvest season to reduce stubble burning and air pollution.
In addition, the ministry has urged all states/UTs to take up the matter with their state electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs) for inclusion of biomass utilisation in respective tariff regulations. Further, MoP has emphasised that co-firing of biomass pellets is not only environment-friendly but also an economical option for power utilities as compared to the blending of imported coal. To address the issue of air pollution and to reduce the carbon footprint of thermal power generation, the MoP had issued a revised policy in October 2021 for the use of agro residue-based biomass and mandated the use of five to seven per cent of biomass co-fired along with the coal for all thermal power plants.