Power Plants Miss Biomass Targets Due To Shortage

The Association of Power Producers (APP) said on Thursday
that many thermal power plants were unable to meet their biomass co-firing
targets for the financial year 2024-25. The main reasons, the APP explained,
were limited availability of biomass and technical difficulties at the plants.
They emphasized that the shortfall was not due to a lack of effort or
willingness by the power generators.

Biomass co-firing is a process where thermal power plants use a mix of
coal and biomass as fuel to reduce pollution and promote renewable energy.
According to the APP, while the plants made efforts to meet the targets,
challenges such as insufficient supply of biomass and operational limitations
made it difficult to achieve the required levels.

The APP also highlighted that certain technical requirements, especially for
plants using specific types of equipment like ball and tube mills, add to the
complexity of co-firing. They called for better support and development of
the domestic biomass market to help plants meet future targets effectively.

The association’s statement comes amid scrutiny from regulators and environmental
authorities, as thermal power plants play a major role in energy production and
emissions management in the country.