Clean energy provider petitions GERC for biomass power plant

The term “biomass” includes fuels derived from timber,agriculture and food processing wastes or from fuel crops that are specifically grown or reserved for electricity generation. Biomass fuel can also include sewage sludge and animal manure.

Now,the state has decided to approve,in principal,biomass power plants by private groups – in 25 districts of the state – for an estimated generation of 317 MW.

But this will take anywhere between five and 10 years depending on the MW capacities of the plants. One of the major reasons why no major power plants were set up in Gujarat since 2003 is the feasibility of the project.

Abellon CleanEnergy,a clean energy solutions provider in Bio,Wind,and Solar energy plans to set up a biomass power plant in the state.

It has sent a petition to the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) for permission to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). It has said that several states like Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh have allowed bio power developers to enter up 50 per cent in the PPA. It further said that the quantum of part PPA should be left with the bio power developer on the basis of their business intuition. This will boost the investment in the bio power sector,Abellon said in its petition.

An official at GERC said that draft regulation on bio power is being worked out. “It will encompass everything required by the bio power developers. Even then if the bio power developers come to us with genuine issues,we will do everything to sort out their problems,” said a GERC official on condition of anonymity.

GERC is planning to come out with draft regulation on biomass power generation,which will give directions to the bio power developers in Gujarat.