Coir Board to generate power from coir pith

Talks are on with a Mumbai-based firm for setting up a 10-mw plant that will produce power using coir pith

The Coir Board is planning to set up a 10 MW plant here to generate power from coir pith, a first such initiative in the country, with an estimated investment of Rs 50 crore.

 

The research and development wing of the board developed a new methodology to generate power from coir pith, which has been considered a waste so far, the board said in a statement here today.

 

Talks are on with a Mumbai-based firm for setting up a 10-mw plant that would produce power using coir pith, said G Balachandran, Chairman of Coir Board which functions under the Union Ministry of Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises.

 

Power would be generated after removing the moisture from the coir pith at the proposed unit, being set up with an estimated investment of Rs 50 crore.

 

For continuous availability of raw material for the power unit, the Board would soon launch a programme to guarantee scientific procurement of coconut husk at the state level. At present, only 30% of the husk is being converted into coir.

 

"That is only half the potential. Tractors of the Coir Board will take rounds of houses and farms that grow coconut trees, and collect the husk. Such a streamlining will also give a fillip to the coir industry in the state," Balachandran said.

 

The Coir Board recently entered into a pact with the Silk Board to develop a blended cloth using coir fibre with other natural fibres like sisal, jute and raw silk.