Mumbai: In a major initiative to promote sustainable energy and benefit farmers, the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) Solapur project has announced plans to purchase bamboo biomass to mix with coal for power generation. Agreements will be signed with Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) for up to 50 years to ensure a consistent supply of bamboo biomass.
Highlighting the move, NTPC Chairman Gurdeep Singh said, “Biomass-based energy projects are essential for environmental conservation.” This initiative follows directions from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who acted on a proposal by Pasha Patel, the Executive Chairman of the Chief Minister’s Environment and Sustainable Development Task Force.
During a recent meeting attended by officials, including MITRA CEO Praveen Singh Pardeshi, NTPC Solapur Project Head Tapan Kumar Bandopadhyay, and others, it was revealed that the Solapur NTPC plant currently consumes 4 million tons of coal annually. Initially, 10% of the coal will be replaced with bamboo biomass, requiring around 400,000 tons annually. As bamboo cultivation scales up, this mix could increase to 20–30% or even more.
“This initiative will directly benefit bamboo farmers in the Solapur, Latur, and Dharashiv districts,” Singh emphasized, adding that NTPC is ready to purchase biomass immediately and enter long-term agreements with FPCs.
Pasha Patel outlined the long-term potential of bamboo cultivation, stating, “Large-scale cultivation near canals, roadsides, and fields could enable the Solapur plant to transition entirely to bamboo biomass.” He encouraged farmers to take advantage of subsidies, including Rs 7.04 lakh per hectare offered under MGNREGA and additional support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for up to 10 hectares.
Patel also highlighted bamboo’s versatility, noting its use in fabric production, daily-use items like toothbrushes and shaving kits, construction materials, and as fuel for energy projects after processing.
MITRA CEO Praveen Singh Pardeshi assured support for bamboo cultivation and announced plans to provide machinery for processing bamboo into biomass pellets through CSR initiatives.
This meeting, convened shortly after Fadnavis’s December 26, 2024, directive to NTPC, included key officials such as Solapur Zilla Parishad CEO Kuldeep Jangam and NTPC Regional Executive Director Kamlesh Soni.
Chief Minister Fadnavis has pledged to make Maharashtra a leader in green energy by promoting bamboo-based energy production. This historic step marks a significant move towards sustainable energy and environmental conservation while providing a financial boost to farmers in the region.
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