The Ministry of Power, led by R.K.Singh, announced today that a ‘National Mission on the use of Biomass in Coal-based Thermal Power Plants’ will be set up so as to combat air pollution produced by farm stubble burning and reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation. While some coal plants have announced, and even tried using stubble pallets for thermal generation, a formal organised effort was awaited. It remains to be seen if enough will be done this year before stubble burning picks up pave in October -November, when pollution levels from stubble smoke spike across North India.
The ministry believes that the mission would further support the planned energy transition in the country and help achieve targets to move towards cleaner energy sources. It is also expected to contribute to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
The ‘National Mission on the use of Biomass in Coal-based Thermal Power Plants’ will have the following objectives:
The modalities of operation and structure of the Nation Mission are under finalization. It is being envisaged that the mission would have a Steering Committee headed by Secretary (Power) comprising of all stakeholders including representatives from Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) etc. The Executive Committee would be headed by Member (Thermal), CEA. NTPC will play a larger role in providing logistic and infrastructure support in the proposed National Mission. The mission would have full time officers from CEA, NTPC, DVC and NLC or other participating organizations. The duration of proposed National Mission would be a minimum 5 years. The following Sub-Groups are also proposed to be formed under the mission:
Multiple efforts to control the menace have come a cropper so far, and the most recent one is probably the union government’s own committee that was set up to monitor and take action. Set up through an ordinance, the same was allowed to lapse after six months, with nothing to show for all the action and promises at the time of set up.
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