Date:03/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/03/stories/2006120301140700.htm

National

Mustard residue-based power plant coming up in Rajasthan

Special Correspondent

7.5 MW plant is being built at a cost of Rs. 37 cr.

JAIPUR: A mustard crop residue (MCR)-based non-conventional thermal power plant will start production in Alwar district of Rajasthan soon. The 7.5 MW plant, with an installed capacity of 150 metric tonnes of MCR per day, is being built at a cost of Rs.37 crore.

The project is eligible for benefits under CDM (Clean development mechanism) for SMEs (Small and medium enterprises) under a project supported by Global Opportunities Fund of the British High Commission and Eco Securities, leading buyers of carbon credits.

"The power project is near completion. All necessary clearances have been obtained. The vast hinterlands of Rajasthan will provide the agricultural waste which would form the fuel for the plant," said Ajay Bararia, Managing Director of Alwar Power Company.

Dr. Bararia, formerly with the World Bank, termed Rajasthan's potential in biomass-based power plants "immense".

"Rajasthan has 50 lakh tonnes of agricultural waste. In the past the farmers were forced to burn it before the new crop season. Now they can make money out of it. Such power plant would create additional income in the rural areas through many related activities," said Dr. Bararia, who once worked with the USAID channelled PL 48 money for development projects in the country.

To ensure a constant supply of fuel to the plant, Dr. Bararia has set up three MCR fuel processing units in Alwar district with an installed capacity of 150 metric tonnes per day.

The cost of production per unit of power from biomass is estimated to be Rs.3. The Power Company has already entered into a power purchase agreement with the Rajasthan for supply of power generated from the plant.