Addition of 1700 MW Biomass Co-Generation Power by 2012
	13:39 IST

Lok Sabha br> A target for addition of 1,700 MW capacity, consisting of 500 MW of biomass power projects and 1,200 MW of bagasse cogeneration projects has been proposed during XIth plan period i.e. upto 2012. A cumulative biomass power potential of about 18,000 MWe from the surplus agro residues have been estimated in the country. This has been stated in the National Biomass Resource Atlas prepared by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, under a project sponsored by the Ministry,. The States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are having potential for setting up biomass based power projects of 100 MW or above. The biomass power potential in the identified districts of the above States ranges from 10 MW to 100 MW. Sugar mills having crushing capacity of 2500 Tonnes of cane crushed per day in the States of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana have an estimated potential of about 5000 MW surplus power generation through optimum bagasse based cogeneration. br> The Government is providing incentives for setting up of power generation projects based on biomass and bagasse cogeneration in the form of capital subsidy and fiscal incentives such as accelerated depreciation, relief from taxes and duties, term loans from Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). This apart, policies have been introduced in potential states for wheeling, banking and buy-back of electricity generated from commercial biomass power and bagasse cogeneration projects. br> This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Shri Vilas Muttemwar in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today. br> KP:PM