Date:05/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/05/stories/2009010552300500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Rise in raw material cost mauls biomass projects

R. Sairam

MADURAI: The rise in the cost of raw materials is the chief factor that affects the viability of biomass power projects. Technical and manpower constraints are the other factors, says A. Balakrishnan, General Manager, Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA).

Mr. Balakrishnan, who was here last week to review the functioning of three 9 KW (electrical) biomass gasifier units established in Madurai district by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) with the financial support of the TEDA, told The Hindu that while the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy sanctioned 138 biomass units to Tamil Nadu, 65 had been installed. “Almost all of them are facing similar problems.”

The three units were commissioned in January 2006. However, they functioned only for four months, on an average. These units, he said, required a technically qualified person for efficient operation.

Given the difficulties faced by the DRDA in meeting the requirements, the units had become non-functional. Furthermore, the Union Ministry had dispensed with the Integrated Rural Energy Programme (IREP), which provided funds for promoting the development of alternative energy.

Mr. Balakrishnan said the TEDA would take up the issue of technical assistance with the manufacturing companies. If the manpower and financial problems were taken care of, biomass power generation could provide a solution to the power crisis.

As for the functioning of the biomass gasifier unit established at T. Kallupatti by the town panchayat, he said he was satisfied with it.