Captive power plants aiming to co-fire 10% of biomass by 2023

23 Mar 2023 CW Team

All thermal power plants in the National Capital Region are required by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjacent Areas to begin co-firing biomass-based pellets with coal, with a goal of at least 5% co-firing by September and at least 10% by December 2023.

The use of paddy straw for this type of co-firing should be the main focus. Co-firing is a method for turning biomass into energy by using it as a partly replacement fuel in boilers that run on coal.

The government stated in an official statement that thermal facilities have been ordered to rigorously adhere to the emission requirements at all times and with immediate effect.

By September 30, 2023, the commission must receive the first action taken report in accordance with this directive. Afterwards, reports must be delivered on a monthly basis.

The commission has been bringing up the issue of managing agricultural stubble with NCR state governments to ensure the use of agricultural residue/biomass pellets as fuel in thermal plants, as ex-situ usage of paddy straw is a crucial technique to control stubble burning.

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