How can biomass pellets help India achieve 35 GW renewable power generation while reducing 205 Mt CO2 annually and creating 200,000+ jobs?
Key Points on Biomass Energy in India (with Figures & INR Costs)
1️⃣ Surplus Biomass in India 
- India’s biomass surplus is expected to rise from 242 million tonnes (Mt) in 2010–11 to 281 Mt by 2030–31, supporting a 35 GW biomass power capacity.
- Estimated electricity generation potential from biomass pellets: 244 TWh by 2030 (≈6% of total power production).
2️⃣ Cost-Effective Energy 
- Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) from Biomass Pellets: ₹10.08/kWh (€0.12/kWh).
- LCOE from Imported Coal-Based Power Plants: ₹8.40/kWh (€0.10/kWh).
3️⃣ Carbon Reduction Potential 
- Biomass co-firing and power generation can help offset 205 Mt CO₂ annually by 2030.
- A carbon price of ₹1,500/tCO₂ (€18/tCO₂) is required to make biomass pellet power financially viable.
4️⃣ Employment Generation 
- Biomass projects create over 5 million person-months in plant construction.
- 200,000+ full-time jobs in biomass pellet production & operation.
- 87,500 full-time jobs in biomass power plant operation by 2030.
5️⃣ Types of Residue for Biomass Pellet Production
| Crop Residue | Surplus Availability (Mt) | Primary Uses |
| Rice Straw & Husk | 221.8 Mt | Co-firing, pelletizing, fodder |
| Wheat Straw | 193.7 Mt | Biomass power, fodder |
| Sugarcane Bagasse | 183.7 Mt | Industrial fuel, ethanol production |
| Cotton Waste | 22.5 Mt | Pellet fuel, paper industry |
| Maize Stalk & Cobs | 70.6 Mt | Fodder, power generation |
| Groundnut Shells | 22.0 Mt | Biofuel, heating applications |
| Mustard Residue | 22.1 Mt | Briquetting, industrial use |
| Other Oilseeds Waste | 44.7 Mt | Bioenergy, pellet production |
6️⃣ India’s Electricity Generation & Biomass Potential (State-Wise)
| State | Power Generation Potential (MW) | Biomass Residue Available (Mt) |
| Punjab | 3,500 | 15.8 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 6,000 | 20.5 |
| Maharashtra | 4,200 | 18.4 |
| Tamil Nadu | 2,500 | 9.1 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 3,800 | 12.3 |
| Gujarat | 2,900 | 8.3 |
| Rajasthan | 2,700 | 6.3 |
| West Bengal | 1,500 | 6.8 |
| Karnataka | 3,600 | 6.6 |
7️⃣ Climate Policy of India & Biomass Energy Role
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) aims for 15% renewable energy by 2022.
- Renewable Portfolio Obligations (RPOs) mandate discoms to source a percentage of power from renewables.
- India’s Net-Zero Target by 2070: Biomass is crucial for reducing reliance on coal.
- Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism promotes biomass power development.
8️⃣ Biomass Pellets vs. Raw Biomass Transportation Costs 
- Pelletizing biomass increases density from 40–200 kg/m³ to 600–1200 kg/m³, reducing transport costs.
- Break-even distance for pellets vs. raw biomass: 275 km.
- Transportation costs:
- Raw biomass (50 km): ₹1,750/tonne (€21/tonne)
- Pellets (50 km): ₹5,350/tonne (€64/tonne)
Conclusion
- Biomass pellets can replace 25% of India’s coal consumption by 2030.
- Biomass energy is cost-competitive, reducing fossil fuel dependency while boosting rural employment.
- State-wise biomass power adoption is necessary to achieve India’s renewable energy targets.
References by:
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), 2015, Renewable Energy Tariff Report. MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), 2022, Biomass Power Policy Guidelines. International Energy Agency (IEA), 2023, India Energy Outlook Report. FAO (Food & Agriculture Organization), 2017, Global Biomass Pellet Market Study. Council on Energy, Environment & Water (CEEW), 2023, Biomass Energy for Power Generation in India.
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