Dadri: In what is being seen as a revolutionary step, NTPC, India's largest producer of power, has now begun generating electricity from biomass pellet based fuel at its Dadri plant by mixing 10 percent coal into it. Now the problem of seasonal stubble-burning in states like Punjab, Haryana, western UP and some parts of Delhi which is recognised as a vital reason for Delhi's air pollution problem, can be addressed through this mechanism.
The only constraint ahead is the regular supply of all the contracted quantity of this fuel that is likely to take some time. Also, compared to coal, Biomass also has lower thermal efficiency, higher technical risks and higher cost. But the move is seen as a major step to curb the stubble-burning of agricultural residues in fields which reduces the fertile strength of the soil as well as produces huge amounts of ash and smog in the air.