The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited Expression of Interest (EOI) to assess the potential of biomass power and bagasse cogeneration in India.

The final date to submit the EoI is August 31, 2018.

In 2010-11, The Indian Institute of Science had conducted a study to assess the biomass power potential and estimated 18,000 MW to be the potential for biomass power in the country.

With India’s growth in the production of food grains, a new study has been announced. This study will assess the amount of power that can be generated through available surplus biomass and bagasse in the country. The potential for power generation through biomass and bagasse will be assessed separately.

The terms of reference for the study are as follows-

• State-wise crop production
• State-wise surplus biomass availability and power potential
• Resource-wise power potential
• Residue-growth for all the crops depending on the crop yield and other parameters, and most importantly, the current usage trend in terms of nature and magnitude

• State-wise sugarcane production
• State-wise availability of bagasse and power potential

To be eligible for the EoI, a consultant or consulting organization should have at least five years of experience in conducting assignments related to the biomass power sector and biomass resource assessment. They should also have an annual turnover of at least five million per year during the last three years.

The final report of the study is to be completed within eight months from the award of work.

Recently, the central government’s cabinet approved the National Policy on Biofuels – 2018.

Biofuels offer great opportunity to align with the ambitious goal to double farmers’ income, reduce imports, generate employment, and waste-to-wealth creation. The biofuels program in India has largely been impacted due to the sustained unavailability of domestic feedstock for biofuel production, which needs to be addressed. The National Policy on Biofuels will help change the trend.

Another program to support the promotion of biomass-based cogeneration in sugar mills and other industries was also announced in May by MNRE’s biomass power division.