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♤ Biomass energy is one of the most important sources of energy forming 32% of the total primary energy usage in the country with more than 70% of the Indian population dependent on it for its energy needs.
♤ The current availability of biomass is estimated at about 450-500 million tonnes annually translating to a potential of around 18000 MW.
♤ In addition, about 5000 MW additional power could be generated through bagasse based cogeneration in the country’s 550 Sugar mills
♤ It attracts over Rs 600 crore in investments annually creating rural employment of more than 10 million man days whilst generating more than 5000 million units of electricity.
Installed capacity in India
♤ Approximately over 300 biomass power and cogeneration projects aggregating 3700 MW have been installed in the country for feeding power to the grid. Also, 30 biomass power projects aggregating about 350MW are under different stages of implementation.
♤ Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are the leading states in the implementation of bagasse cogeneration projects.
♤ In the biomass power projects, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have taken leadership position.
♤ The Government plans to meet 20% of the countries diesel requirements by 2020 using biodiesel. Potential sources of biodiesel production have been identified in wild plants such as jatropha curcas, neem, mahua, karanj, Simarouba (exotic tree) etc.
♤ Several incentive schemes have been introduced to rehabilitate waste lands through the cultivation of Jatropha.
♤ Central Finance Assistance (CFA) is provided by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in the form of capital subsidy and financial incentives to biomass energy projects in India.