Biomass

Annex 2

ANNEX 2 – Case Studies of Selected Biomass Power Projects in India

1.1 Introduction Biomass has always been an important energy source in India. Although, the energy scenario in India today indicates a growing dependence on the conventional forms of energy, about 32% of the total primary energy use in the country is still derived from biomass and more than 70% of the country’s population depends upon it for its energy needs. The Government of India, through its Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES), has been aware of the potential and role of biomass energy in the Indian context and, hence, has initiated a number of programmes for promotion of modern technologies for its use in various sectors of the economy to ensure derivation of maximum benefits. Biomass power generation in India is an industry that attracts investments of over Rs.600 crores every year, generating more than 5000 million units of electricity and yearly employment of more than 10 million man-days in the rural areas. The three main technologies being promoted by the MNES for productive utilisation of biomass are bagasse-based cogeneration in sugar mills, biomass power generation, and biomass gasification for thermal and electrical applications. The Government of India has a well-framed national policy with objectives to promote biomass power generation systems. Requisite clauses are inserted in the Electricity Act, 2003. There is an installed capacity of 302 MW through biomass gasification and 437 MW through cogeneration till March 2005. Case studies of a few of the installed plants are collected and analysed to consolidate the value of learning and experience. 1.1.1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. National electricity policy 2005 The National Electricity Policy aims at achieving the following objectives: Access to Electricity – available for all households in the next five years, Availability of power – demand to be fully met by 2012. Energy and peaking shortages to be overcome...