8 months ago
Thermal Plants Struggle with Biomass Shortfall
Some power plants in India are having a hard time using enough biomass (plant material) as fuel because there isn't enough available and there are technical problems.
The government has asked some of these plants to pay a fine, but the power producers say they are trying their best and need more time and support to fix the problem.
One plant in Punjab even helped set up a local factory to make more biomass fuel, which helped them use more of it.
The power producers want the government to be more understanding and give them some flexibility in meeting these targets.
Thermal power plants (TPPs) struggled to meet biomass co-firing targets in FY25 due to limited availability and technical constraints.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued show-cause notices to six TPPs near Delhi and proposed a ₹61.85 crore penalty.
The domestic market for torrefied biomass pellets is underdeveloped, with challenges like insufficient supplier capacity and high rejection rates.
Talwandi Sabo Power (TSPL) in Punjab improved its co-firing performance to 5.07% year-to-date by November 2025 after setting up a local biomass manufacturing facility.
APP urges the government to consider relaxing penalties for FY25 and allowing carry-forward of compliance to subsequent years.
- Who
- Thermal power plants (TPPs) and the Association of Power Producers (APP)
- What
- Struggles to meet biomass co-firing targets due to supply and technical challenges
- Where
- India, particularly near Delhi and in Punjab
- When
- FY25 and ongoing efforts in FY26
- Why
- Limited availability of torrefied biomass pellets and technical constraints
Key facts
- Issue
- Biomass co-firing shortfall in FY25
- Cause
- Limited availability and technical constraints
- Affected Plants
- Six TPPs near Delhi
- Proposed Penalty
- ₹61.85 crore environmental compensation
- Example Plant
- Talwandi Sabo Power (TSPL) in Punjab
- TSPL's FY26 Performance
- 4.33% co-firing in August, 5.07% year-to-date by November 2025
- Biomass Co-fired by TSPL
- 2,50,369 tonnes
- APP's Stance
- Supports biomass co-firing but seeks government flexibility
