The Ministry of Power launched the National Mission on use of Biomass in thermal power plants, known as SAMARTH (Sustainable Agrarian Mission on use of Agri Residue in Thermal Power Plants), to address the dual challenges of air pollution caused by stubble burning and the carbon-intensive nature of coal-based power generation.
Core Objectives and Strategic Mandate
The mission aims to increase the level of biomass co-firing in coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs). By replacing a portion of coal with agro-residue, the mission strives to achieve the following:
- Reducing the carbon footprint of thermal power generation.
- Mitigating the environmental hazard of crop residue burning in agricultural fields.
- Generating additional income for farmers by creating a market for agri-waste.
- Promoting a circular economy and strengthening the rural supply chain.
Key Operational Mechanism
The mission mandates that all thermal power plants in India, with certain exceptions, must utilize biomass pellets for co-firing. The co-firing percentage is progressively increased to ensure a transition toward cleaner energy.
- Mandatory Co-firing: Coal-based TPPs are required to use a blend of 5% biomass pellets made primarily of agro-residue along with coal.
- Implementation Timeline: The policy trajectory aims to ramp up the co-firing percentage to 7% for various categories of plants.
- Procurement Policy: The government has issued revised guidelines for the procurement of biomass pellets to ensure transparency and competitive pricing.
Classification of Biomass Pellets
For the purpose of co-firing under SAMARTH, biomass pellets are categorized into specific groups to ensure standard quality and heating efficiency:
| Category | Description |
| Category 1 | Pellets made from agro-residue (e.g., paddy straw, wheat straw, mustard stalks). |
| Category 2 | Pellets made from other biomass sources like bamboo, cotton stalks, and coffee husk. |
| Category 3 | Torrefied pellets made from agro-residue. |
Implementation and Support Infrastructure
The Ministry of Power has institutionalized several support structures to ensure the mission’s success:
- Nodal Agency: The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) serves as the primary nodal agency for the implementation of the mission.
- Supply Chain Development: The mission encourages the setting up of biomass pellet manufacturing units near agricultural clusters.
- Technical Standards: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) periodically updates technical specifications for boilers to handle biomass-coal blending without affecting plant reliability.
- Financial Incentives: TPPs are allowed to pass on the cost of biomass co-firing to the beneficiaries through the tariff mechanism, subject to regulatory approval.
Challenges Addressed
- Stubble Burning: By incentivizing the collection of crop residue, the mission addresses the annual air quality crisis in the National Capital Region (NCR) and North India.
- Dependency on Imported Coal: Increasing biomass usage helps reduce the reliance on imported coal by supplementing domestic fuel requirements.
- Supply Chain Logistics: The mission actively promotes the development of biomass depots to bridge the gap between farmers and power plants.
Significant Facts and Trivia
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Power.
- Policy Foundation: The policy on Biomass Utilization for Power Generation through Co-firing in Coal Based Power Plants was initially notified in October 2021.
- Economic Impact: It provides an additional revenue stream for farmers, effectively turning agricultural waste into a valuable commodity.
- Environmental Impact: Biomass is considered carbon neutral because the carbon dioxide released during combustion is equivalent to the carbon absorbed by the plants during their growth cycle.
- Scope: The mission covers both public and private sector thermal power plants.