Gujarat eyes 400 mw from biomass waste

State energy agency fixes power purchase rate of Rs 3.85 per unit.

In an effort to lessen dependence on burning fossil fuels and utilise renewable sources of power generation instead, the state government is now turning towards biomass waste for generating electricity.

Gujarat Energy Development Agency that promotes renewable and green fuels has chalked out a plan to generate 400 MW of power in next few years through biomass.

Over two dozen players have shown interest in biomass solid waste power projects and the government has already fixed a rate for power purchase from these developers.

"The state government will buy power from the developers at Rs 3.85 per unit," said sources close to the development. The plant load factor (PLF) for the units coming up would be as high as 75-80%, which is quite commendable, said a senior government official.

The state government has decided to purchase two percent of the total power generated that comes from conventional energy, from renewable sources be it wind, solar or bio- mass.

As many as 37 locations have been identified across Gujarat which has potential surplus biomass where power projects can be set up.

Other form of biomass-based energy — liquid biofuel, is also finding many takers in the state.

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, Tata Chemicals, Essar group, construction major Shapoorji Pallonji, Mumbai-based Royal Energy and D1-BP Biofuels chalked out massive plans to explore opportunities in jatropha cultivation as a biofuel.

Gujarat government has earmarked 1,900,000 acres in the Narmada region for bio-fuels cultivation especially jathropa.

Besides biomass, solar energy is also high on GEDA’s scheme of things. Over a dozen players are on the verge of finalising solar power projects which could generate about 600-1,000 MW in coming years.

Essar, Indiabulls, Reliance Industries, ADAG and Tata Power have also lined up solar projects in the state.

GEDA has roped in US based Nobel Laureaute John Byrne for charting the state’s solar roadmap. Moreover, US based Clinton Foundation has shown interest in setting up an integrated solar city project which can generate upto 5,000 MW of power.

Recently, Israel’s Focal Energy Company had evinced interest in investing in various power projects in Gujarat, which includes bio-waste, solar, wind and hydel.

So much has been the interest in solar energy that the state government is planning to include it in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit-2009.