The Ministry of Power told the media that state-owned power giant NTPC placed an order of 9,30,000 tonnes of biomass pellets for co-firing in power facilities that will assist in enhancing the air quality. The power ministry told the media that Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are acquiring 13,01,000 tonnes of biomass pellets for co-firing in their power facilities. On October 28, Alok Kumar, Power Secretary had conducted a review meeting on the biomass co-firing status in the thermal power facilities. The meeting was attended by NTPC CMD, the Central Electricity Authority, representatives from Punjab, Haryana and UP, mission director of the National Bio Mission, and senior authorities of the power ministry. It emerged in the meeting that because of several actions taken by the power ministry, initiatives for biomass procurement have been undertaken by NTPC and several states, it said. NTPC placed an order for 8.65 lakh tonnes of biomass pellets, for which supply is already in process. Also, NTPC has placed an additional order of 65,000 tonnes in October this year. Another part of the acquisition by NTPC for 25 lakh tonnes is in process for which the vendors are invited to present the proposal by November 1. The ministry said that Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana are collectively acquiring nearly 13,01,000 tonnes of biomass pellets for co-firing in their power facilities. The orders are likely to be finalised in November this year, it added. Earlier, the Ministry of Power, on 17th November 2017, released a policy on biomass usage for power production via co-firing in coal-based power facilities. In this earlier policy, it was suggested that coal-based thermal power plants, except those having a ball tube mill, attempt to use a 5-10% blend of biomass pellets made essentially of agro residue along with coal after technical feasibility evaluation like safety aspect. Image Source Also read: Biomass Briquettes: Goa’s project to turn agri waste into green fuel