Globally, India is in the fourth position in generating power through biomass and with a huge potential, is poised to become a world leader in biomass energy production.
India can generate as much as 16,000MW of biomass power, according to the Biomass Resource Atlas of India, an Indian Institute of Science (IISc) project to map biomass potential in the country, but only about 700 MW is on stream now.
The upcoming capacity expansion opportunities in India’s growing Biomass to Power sector will be a key area of focus at the upcoming Biomass & WtE (Waste to Energy) conference in Shanghai on 28-29 October.
In fact, a key player in India’s upcoming Biomass to Power sector will be presenting insights at the conference. Anil Lala, Corporate Director at AllGreen Energy India Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore-based AllGreen Energy Pte., Ltd, will be sharing an update on All Green’s ambitious 10 Biomass-to-energy projects development plan.
AllGreen plans to raise US$100 Million to set up ten 6.5MW biomass-to-energy projects across India over three years. The first three, projected to go on-stream by March 2010, will be in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.
India has an installed power capacity of 147,000MW and experiences a 15% shortfall during peak hours, between 7pm and 10pm, according to the Central Electricity Authority, which advises the Union government on power policies. While AllGreen’s 6.5MW power plants may seem paltry in the larger scheme of things, biomass is touted to have the potential to light up rural India, and Biomass to energy has tremendous potential in this agrarian country.
Biomass & WtE also features insights from GN Murthy, Deputy General Manager – New Initiatives, ITC Limited – Agri Business Division the Biomass feedstock supplier for AllGreen’s project. Touching on, “Ensuring Stable Biomass Supply & Quality for AllGreen’s Mega Project”, Mr. Murthy will share on key challenges in delivering the 40,000-50,000 tones of biomass/annum needed by each of the ten planned 6.5 MW Power plants.
Beyond the central government, Indian states are also taking an active role in promoting Biomass to energy and inviting private investment. In June 2009, the State owned Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) announced the allocation of 31 decentralized Biomass Power Projects with aggregate capacity of 338 MW to private developers.
At Biomass & WtE we’ve invited Shirish Garud, Fellow & Area Convenor, Renewable Energy Technology Applications & Coordinator, REEEP South Asia Secretariat to share a private investor’s perspective on “Promoting Bio-Energy from Agricultural Biomass & Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)” in India.
The REEEP South Asia Regional Secretariat was established in 2005 under the AEI (Asian Energy Institute) to create a link between energy services and income generation, using innovative financing as a catalyst, and support Private Pro-poor Small-scale renewable energy Investments in South Asia.
Biomass & WtE offers a cohesive update on upcoming opportunities in India’s Biomass to energy sector in India. Those keen on participating should >>CLICK HERE<< or email jaime@cmtsp.com.sg for more information.
