Bengal’s state power generating company WBPDCL is keen to blend biomass pellets for co-firing with coal in its thermal power plants, but some technical and commercial challenges have cropped up while implementing the central mandate.

The Union power ministry as part of its revised policy for biomass utilisation for power generation in 2021 has mandated all thermal power plants to use a 5 per cent blend of biomass pellets, which are made primarily of agro residue along with coal and increase the same to 7 per cent over a two-year period.

As of October, around 83,066 mt of biomass has been co-fired in 39 thermal power plants across the country totalling a capacity of 55,390 MW. But the share of plants in the east is significantly small.

State power department officials said that the state-generating companies are keen to co-fire biomass pellets, but their availability in the state is a major concern. WBPDCL had identified a 500 MW unit at Sagardighi and 210 MW at Bakreshwar for using biomass pellets. But despite having invited expressions of interest and open tenders, the response has not been positive.

The primary reason is most of the pellet manufacturers are located in the northern and western parts of the country and logistics is a major concern for most suppliers. Further, there are technical concerns such as low calorific value and moisture concerns even though the boilers are geared up to blend biomass along with coal.

The state agriculture department is set to meet the manufacturers and discuss the possibility of pellet manufacturing in the state. The state has surplus biomass which could be utilised for making pellets and could suffice to comply with the 5 per cent requirement.

Central power utility Damodar Valley Corporation on Tuesday held a one-day workshop in the city with participation from various stakeholders to raise awareness on the use of biomass in power generation.