Biomass power generation gains momentum in East Godavari

Kakinada: Biomass power generation is gaining momentum in East Godavari district in the last few years. The biomass power producers are also selling the electricity to APTransco. Biomass power is costlier than other sources of renewable energy, it costs about Rs 4.5 crore per one MW generation.

It may be recalled here that the share of new and renewable energy – solar, wind and biomass – in electricity supply has tripled to 18 percent in the country. Recent investments in ‘green’ energy made by the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are a step in that direction.

Following intense lobbying by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh was selected by the Central government for implementation of the Power for All (PFA) programme, with active support from the Centre. The programme aims to supply 24x7 quality, reliable and affordable power to all domestic, commercial and industries consumers.

Under the PFA programme, the government plans to achieve cent percent electrification to meet the entire power demand, through ideal mix of generation sources and fuel security; ensure reliable transmission network with lowest losses; harness green energy; and vigorously pursue energy efficiency and conservation measures.

Many rice mills, paper mills, sugar factories, rice bran oil units, agro and allied units have been generating power in their respective units. They use bagasse (sugarcane fiber waste left after juice extraction), paddy husk, sawmill waste, coconut waste, groundnut shells, banana and oil palm waste and allied waste materials, the main ingredients to run the plants.

Some of the biomass power plants which are in operation in the district are: Rao’s Power Limited at Duppalapudi in Anaparthy mandal, uses poultry litter (a mixture of poultry excreta, spilled feed, feathers, and material) to run the plant. The two sugar factories Deccan Sugars at Samarlakota and Sarvaraya Sugars at Chelluru use bagasse to generate 5 MW each per day.

Syrius Oils Private Limited, a food processing unit, Peddapuram, uses paddy husk and generates 9 MW a day, Ramadas Paper Boards at Jegurupaadu generates 4 MW a day, Sameera Paper Boards at Mandapeta generates 4.80 MW a day, Sri Paper Mills at G Raggampeta generates 4 MW a day. Sudha Agro Limited at Samarlakota generates 4 MW a day.

Sri Lalitha Rice Mill, at Peddapuram generates 4 MW a day. Managing Director of Sri Ramdas Paper Boards, Jagurupadu, N Venkata Reddy said the power supply in the last one and half years for industrial sector has improved. He said tremendous potential exists in this region for generation of electricity through biomass in an eco-friendly manner.

NREDCAP East Godavari authorities conduct safety checks in these units regularly. The units which are aiming at setting up biomass power plants have to apply for the same. The NREDCAP and pollution department authorities after due verification give permission for setting up biomass power plants, said NREDCAP district manager G Satyanarayana.

He said biomass power plants have been meeting energy requirements of many high tension consumers. He said that green energy will bring in many benefits such as lesser pollution, lesser land degradation etc.