March 5, 2025

👉 How can biomass pellets help India achieve 35 GW renewable power generation while reducing 205 Mt CO2 annually and creating 200,000+ jobs?

🔥 Key Points on Biomass Energy in India (with Figures & INR Costs) 🔥

1️ Surplus Biomass in India 🇮🇳

  • India’s biomass surplus is expected to rise from 242 million tonnes (Mt) in 2010–11 to 281 Mt by 2030–31, supporting a 35 GW biomass power capacity.
  • Estimated electricity generation potential from biomass pellets: 244 TWh by 2030 (≈6% of total power production).

2️ Cost-Effective Energy 💰

  • Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) from Biomass Pellets: ₹10.08/kWh (€0.12/kWh).
  • LCOE from Imported Coal-Based Power Plants: ₹8.40/kWh (€0.10/kWh).

3️ Carbon Reduction Potential 🌍

  • Biomass co-firing and power generation can help offset 205 Mt CO₂ annually by 2030.
  • A carbon price of ₹1,500/tCO₂ (€18/tCO₂) is required to make biomass pellet power financially viable.

4️ Employment Generation 👷‍♂️

  • Biomass projects create over 5 million person-months in plant construction.
  • 200,000+ full-time jobs in biomass pellet production & operation.
  • 87,500 full-time jobs in biomass power plant operation by 2030.

🌾 5️ Types of Residue for Biomass Pellet Production

Crop ResidueSurplus Availability (Mt)Primary Uses
Rice Straw & Husk221.8 MtCo-firing, pelletizing, fodder
Wheat Straw193.7 MtBiomass power, fodder
Sugarcane Bagasse183.7 MtIndustrial fuel, ethanol production
Cotton Waste22.5 MtPellet fuel, paper industry
Maize Stalk & Cobs70.6 MtFodder, power generation
Groundnut Shells22.0 MtBiofuel, heating applications
Mustard Residue22.1 MtBriquetting, industrial use
Other Oilseeds Waste44.7 MtBioenergy, pellet production

🔥 6️ India’s Electricity Generation & Biomass Potential (State-Wise)

StatePower Generation Potential (MW)Biomass Residue Available (Mt)
Punjab3,50015.8
Uttar Pradesh6,00020.5
Maharashtra4,20018.4
Tamil Nadu2,5009.1
Madhya Pradesh3,80012.3
Gujarat2,9008.3
Rajasthan2,7006.3
West Bengal1,5006.8
Karnataka3,6006.6

🌱 7️ Climate Policy of India & Biomass Energy Role

  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) aims for 15% renewable energy by 2022.
  • Renewable Portfolio Obligations (RPOs) mandate discoms to source a percentage of power from renewables.
  • India’s Net-Zero Target by 2070: Biomass is crucial for reducing reliance on coal.
  • Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism promotes biomass power development.

🚀 8️ Biomass Pellets vs. Raw Biomass Transportation Costs 🚚

  • Pelletizing biomass increases density from 40–200 kg/m³ to 600–1200 kg/m³, reducing transport costs.
  • Break-even distance for pellets vs. raw biomass: 275 km.
  • Transportation costs:
    • Raw biomass (50 km): ₹1,750/tonne (€21/tonne)
    • Pellets (50 km): ₹5,350/tonne (€64/tonne)

🔚 Conclusion

  • Biomass pellets can replace 25% of India’s coal consumption by 2030.
  • Biomass energy is cost-competitive, reducing fossil fuel dependency while boosting rural employment.
  • State-wise biomass power adoption is necessary to achieve India’s renewable energy targets.

📚 References by:

🔹 Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), 2015, Renewable Energy Tariff Report.
🔹 MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), 2022, Biomass Power Policy Guidelines.
🔹 International Energy Agency (IEA), 2023, India Energy Outlook Report.
🔹 FAO (Food & Agriculture Organization), 2017, Global Biomass Pellet Market Study.
🔹 Council on Energy, Environment & Water (CEEW), 2023, Biomass Energy for Power Generation in India.



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