Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MSPGCL) is scouting for a partner to supply it with biomass pellets for use in the thermal power generation at its Koradi plant. Use of pellets is part of measures to cut down green house emissions, since 65 per cent of generation in State is through thermal based on coal. So Central Government had advised respective power companies to blend the coal with biomass pellets, ranging from 5 to 10 per cent, and the same however should be primarily agro-residue. For the same, Genco is trying to tie up with a private entrepreneur who is willing to invest for establishing a non-torrified biomass pellets within 5 km range of Koradi Thermal Power Plant. The present requirement posted by the company is 150 metric tonnes/day.

 

Further SAMARTH’s Mission Director in 2023 had directed necessary action for initiating biomass co-firing and setting up dedicated biomass pellet manufacturing units within or near Thermal Power Plant (TPP) premises. The proximity or short distance is key point as it is meant to ensure that the thermal plant gets continuous supply a affordable costs, since MahaGenco is committed to terms of merit order dispatch (MOD), a competitive power rate to ensure the generation can be feeded into the system. As to condition of non-torrified for the pellets, the same means the pellets that were not subjected to a heat treatment process called torrefaction. Under torrefaction process, biomass is heated in an oxygen-free environment at temperatures between 200-300°C, according to Gattuwala.

 

As to non-torrefied pellets, they are typically manufactured by compressing raw biomass materials into pellets. MahaGenco is taking several steps to cut down the emission during the production process and apart from considering usage of biomass pellets, the company recently commission hydrogen plant at Bhusaval plant. More on the biomass, Genco said in case any existing unit having manufacturing capacity of 100 tonnes/day within 200 kms range from the Koradi plant can also participate in the bidding process, provided the company is willing to invest for setting-up new plant in its viccinity and same must be dedicated for supply to Genco's use.

 

There is more to the procurement of pellets, as MahaGenco has laid down some criteria, including providing employment to project affected persons (PAPs) due to power plants by the private party. Further the pellet manufacturing should have the unit spread over 10 acres of land. The state run company said it is willing to enter into longer term deal for a period of 10-years for procurement of biomass pellets. Giving reason for its pitch for biomass pellets, Genco said it is one of the largest state owned power generation companies in the country and reiterated its commitment to community development, environmental sustainability. Central Government is proactively reducing the green house gases emissions and since power generation is one of the biggest contributors steps are outlined for the generators to gradually switch over to less polluting elements in race to be net zero in emissions by year 2070. Apart from co-blending-coal with biomass pellets-Genco is also going for set-up of green hydrogen plants as same would be utilised for cooling the units. Same will reduce usage of water which is then discharged.