:: Bagasse Cogeneration and Biomass- Overview

Bagasse Power Plant

Bagasse is a by product of sugar cane that is used as fuel in boilers to produce process steam. The consumption of Bagasse depends upon the pressure at which steam is produced in boiler. Co-generation projects with higher boiler pressure results in low computation of Bagasse, resulting in increased operating days. To achieve this, certain implant measures are required to be undertaken.

Conventionally boilers of 40 bar pressure are in use. Based on the studies carried out in many sugar factories, use of high pressure boilers (above 60 bars) makes such power projects highly profitable. National level potential of power generation through Bagasse co-generation as per MNRE, GoI study is about 3500 MW, whereas the potential in Maharashtra is 1250 MW. The promotion of Bagasse co-generation in sugar mills for surplus power generation is one of the important schemes of MEDA. There are nearly 202 sugar factories registered in Maharashtra. For encouraging sugar factories in developing the Cogeneration power project an attractive policy has been declared by GoM vide G.R.dated 14-10-2008. The details of the state policy could be seen on www.mahaurja.com. For giving greater impetus to RE sector the GoM established the Urjankur Nidhi Trust in the year 2006 with financial contribution of Rs. 418 Crores. The implementation of this policy started with the formation two SPVs for the establishment of co-gen projects namely – a) Urjankur Shri. Datta Power Company Ltd., (36 MW) and b) Urjankur Shri. Tatyasaheb Kore Warana Power Company Ltd., (44 MW).

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has been declaring attractive tariff for cogeneration power projects from time to time. This has resulted in having 33 cogeneration power projects totaling 480 MW commissioned in Cooperative sector and approximately 10 Cogeneration power projects totaling 191.5 MW in private sector in the state.

The prevailing regulated tariff declared by the commission on 29th April, 2011 for Cogeneration projects is Rs. 4.79 per unit with no escalation or revision up to the year 2013. For details, visit website: www.mercindia.org.in

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) GoI, has been supporting the Cogeneration power projects by giving back ended subsidy. The 50 % subsidy will be released for sugar factories developing Cogeneration power projects in cooperative sector / public sector /government under taking/ SPV company (Urja Ankur Trust) through BOOT model after issuance of purchase orders for larger equipments like boiler, turbine etc. The remaining 50 % subsidy could be availed after commissioning of the project and demonstrating its continuous operation for 90 days (3 months) from which 72 hours the plant should run with 80% PLF. For private sector one time subsidy will be released after commissioning of project after assessment of performance of the plant. The performance of the plant in both the above cases will be assessed through National Productivity Council (NPC) & then financial assistance will be released. In cogen plant where boiler modification is proposed financial assistance to certain extent will be given by MNRE, GoI. The details of the policy could be seen on www.mnre.gov.in

Further, to enhance attractiveness of investment in this sector the Ministry of Finance is extending exemption on excise duty & levying concessional custom duty over equipments and machinery purchased by the investors for developing a new cogeneration power projects.

The details about commissioned Cogeneration power projects and projects in pipeline are furnished in tabulated form as below.

  1. Cogeneration Commissioned Projects List
  2. Cogeneration Projects Under Commissioning
  3. Cogeneration Projects Status
  4. Download Technical & Financial Statement of Sugar Factory.
  5. Download GR for Sugar cane purchase tax Exemption 03-03-2011.
  6. Download GR for Sugar cane purchase tax Exemption 13-02-2013.

For general information on sugar factories in Maharashtra visit: http://www.vsisugar.com

::Biomass Power Project- Overview

Biomass is the one of the important natural resources. Its efficient use can bring in social, economical and environmental benefits in the long run. The national potential for having grid quality power from surplus biomass material is assessed to be approx. 16,000 MW while potential for Maharashtra (as per the ORG study) is approx. 781 MW.


For encouraging the private sector participation in developing the biomass power projects in the state an attractive policy has been declared vide G.R. dated 14-10-2008. The highlights of the state policy could be seen on www.mahaurja.com. Besides, the financial assistance the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission has been declaring attractive tariff for biomass power from time to time. After the first tariff order on biomass in the year 2005, it has been observed gradual increase in the establishment of biomass power projects in the state. This has resulted in having 14 biomass power projects totaling 147 MW commissioned in the state. With the increasing trend of investors in this sector, MEDA has taken conscious decision of allotting capacity up to maximum 400 MW for this sector to avoid unhealthy competition and preventing environmental degradation.

The prevailing tariff structure (order declared on 29th April, 2011) for biomass power projects is Rs. 4.98 per unit having no escalation or revision in it up to the year 2013. For details, visit website: www.mercindia.org.in

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) GoI, has been supporting the biomass power projects by giving back ended subsidy. The subsidy could be availed after commissioning of the project and demonstrating its continuous operation for 90 days (3 months) from which 72 hours the plant should run with 80% PLF. The performance of the plant will be assessed through National Productivity Council (NPC) & then financial assistance will be released. The details of the policy could be seen on www.mnre.gov.in

Further, for giving greater impacts to this sector the Ministry of Finance has been extending exemption on excise duty & concessional custom duty over equipments and machinery purchased by the investors for developing a new biomass power project.

The details about commissioned biomass power projects and projects in pipeline are furnished in tabulated form as below-