Biomass usage in India’s power sector is set to nearly triple this financial year, reaching 2.5 million tonnes, driven by government initiatives aimed at reducing stubble burning and cutting carbon emissions, according to Anil Baweja, Mission Director of Samarth, Ministry of Power.
The SAMARTH Biomass mission, part of the central government’s strategy, focuses on converting biomass into power in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner, supported by policies and market incentives.
Baweja shared an updated projection in an exclusive interview with ANI on Tuesday, stating, “Earlier, we expected biomass utilisation to be around 1.75 million metric tonnes, but now we anticipate it will exceed 2.5 million metric tonnes this year. So far, 1.3 million metric tonnes have already been used.”
India generates about 230 million tonnes of surplus agricultural residue annually. However, only around 3.2 million tonnes of this is currently used for energy generation, Baweja added. He noted that if India were to utilise 100 million tonnes for biofuel production, the market potential could reach Rs 65,000 crore.
To enhance biomass efficiency in energy production, the government is promoting “Torrefaction” technology. This process involves heating biomass in the absence of oxygen to release volatile matter, making it similar to charcoal and improving its performance in colder conditions. “Torrefied biomass pellets are more energy-dense and durable, and they are currently priced between Rs 28,000 and Rs 35,000 per tonne,” Baweja explained.
The government is also working to incentivise farmers to stop burning crop residue and instead supply it to pellet manufacturers. The Ministry of Agriculture has set up Custom Hiring Centres, providing baling machines to collect and bundle agricultural waste for sale to pellet plants. “There are aggregators who, with the help of these centres, collect the agri-residue, bale it, and sell it to pellet plants,” Baweja added.
In some states, stricter regulations have led to FIRs being filed against those continuing to burn stubble. Baweja stressed that if farmers were offered a viable alternative, such as supplying residue to pellet plants, they would likely embrace it.
While some biomass power plants are already running at full capacity using 100% biomass, particularly in Punjab, Baweja suggested that co-firing with coal in existing plants would be a more cost-effective approach in the short term. “Co-firing is a better option than 100% biomass burning because it avoids the need for new investments in plant infrastructure,” he said.
This biomass push aligns with India’s broader Bioenergy Policy 2022, which aims to leverage the country’s vast agricultural output to meet energy needs sustainably. Additionally, compressed biogas (CBG) is emerging as a strong growth area, with India already achieving a production capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day.
