NTPC firm to make green coal from solid waste in Gurugram

In an effort to contribute to clean energy generation in the country, NTPC will soon launch a project to convert solid waste into green coal. To address the growing issue of municipal solid waste and utilize it for renewable energy production, a “Waste to Energy” meeting was held, chaired by Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, at Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi.

During the meeting, the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVNL)’s initiative to produce green coal from municipal solid waste was discussed in detail. Khattar instructed the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) to collaborate with NVVNL to establish a green coal plant, preferably at Bandhwari or other suitable locations near Gurugram and Manesar. This plant is expected to process about 1,200 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day.

The minister expressed strong interest in the project and directed Haryana to collaborate with NVVNL. Dr. Narhari Singh Bangar, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram, informed the Union Minister that MCG has already initiated efforts in this direction.

Renu Narang, CEO of NVVNL, presented the concept of green coal, also known as bio-coal, which can be blended with conventional coal in thermal power plants to produce electricity.

According to reports, the new plant will use torrefaction technology, a thermochemical process that heats feedstock to 300-350 °C in the absence of oxygen. This treatment breaks carbon polymer bonds and releases volatile gases in a sealed reactor. The resulting flue gases are easier to clean, and the final product, torrefied charcoal, is hydrophobic and has a high heating value similar to conventional coal.

NVVNL has already set up a commercial green coal plant in Varanasi, marking India’s first attempt to produce green coal from municipal solid waste. Additionally, NVVNL is in various stages of establishing green coal plants in Haldwani, Vadodara, Noida, Gorakhpur, and Bhopal.