Co-firing Biomass in Thermal now classified as Renewable
7 September 2019 MNRE has clarified that power generated from co-firing of biomass in thermal power plants will be classified as renewable energy.
In a notification issued on 27 September 2019 by MNRE, the ministry has clarified that power generated from co-firing of biomass in thermal power plants will be classified as renewable energy.
As per the Notification, in continuation to “Policy for Biomass utilisation for Power Generation through co-firing in Pulverised Coal fired Boilers” notified by the Ministry of Power on 17 November 2017 (download Policy), and an advisory for utilizing biomass in coal based thermal power plants by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) on 24 November 2017 (download Advisory) it is clarified that power generated from co-firing of biomass in the thermal power plants is renewable energy and is eligible for meeting non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has been requested to formulate and notify a procedure/methodology for quantifying the energy produced from biomass in biomass co-fired thermal power plants in a reliable and accurate manner. It has further been suggested that the procedure/methodology so determined may have built-in transparency and accountability, including putting an obligation on thermal power generators to publish the quantum of biomass used and energy generated from biomass co-firing in the public domain.
Further, procedure/methodology notified by CERC would form the basis for respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) and other relevant agencies for computing the energy produced from biomass in biomass co-fired thermal power plants, and also for determination of tariff, wherever applicable.
Download: Notification by MNRE PDF
