NTPC planning to start biomass co-firing at its thermal power stations

NTPC is planning to start biomass co-firing across all its coal-based thermal power stations in a view to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut pollution. Co-firing is the use of two different types of fuel for generation of electricity. The intension is to reduce air pollution caused due to burning of surplus agricultural residue in fields by creating an alternate market for its large-scale utilization in power plants as well as to reduce carbon emission from coal-fired power plants.

The company is aiming to burn biomass like scrap lumber, forest debris, crop residues, manure and some types of waste residues along with coal to generate electricity. The company will soon start procurement of biomass pellets and torrefied biomass pellets and briquettes for co-firing across all its coal fired power plants and will soon float a tender.

NTPC is the largest power utility company in India and has presence in Coal, Gas, Solar PV, Hydro and Wind Power Generation and Coal Mining.