Lok Sabha Question No. 1850 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Use of Stubble in TPPs
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1850 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025

## USE OF STUBBLE IN TPPS

†1850.  SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM: SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  quantity  of  biogas  from  crop  residue  stubble  (in  tonnes)  being  utilized  by various  Thermal  Power  Plants  (TPPs)  in  the  country,  thermal  power  plant-wise  and tonnage-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  encourage  farmers  who  are  not  burning stubble and are processing it to send it to biogas/thermal power plants;
- (c) if so, the details thereof in Maharashtra and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to encourage stubble processing plants; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a): Biogas from crop residue stubble is not being utilized in Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in the country. However, biomass pellets made from crop residue are being cofired along with coal in TPPs.
- (b)  &  (c):  Yes,  the  Government  has  been  encouraging  farmers,  who  are  not  burning stubble and are instead processing it, to supply it to biogas and thermal power plants. The  Ministry  of  New  and  Renewable  Energy  (MNRE)  is  implementing  the  Biomass Programme under Phase-I of the National Bio-Energy Programme, notified on 02.11.2022, to support the establishment of Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects and biomass-based briquette/ pellet manufacturing units across the country, including Maharashtra.  The scheme provides financial assistance as:
- A. Biomass Programme:
- I. For  Briquette  manufacturing  plants:  Rs.  09.00  Lakh  per  Metric  Ton  per  Hour (MTPH) production capacity (subject to maximum Rs. 45 Lakh per project).
- II. For Non-Torrefied Pellet manufacturing plant: Rs.  21  Lakhs  per  MTPH  production  capacity  or  30%  of  the  capital  cost, whichever is lower (subject to maximum Rs. 105 Lakhs per project).
- III.
- For Torrefied Pellet manufacturing plant: Rs.  42  lakhs/  MTPH  production  capacity  or  30%  of  the  capital  cost considered for plant and machinery of 1 TPH plant, whichever is lower
- (Maximum Rs. 210 lakhs per project)
- B. Waste to Energy Programme:
- I. Biogas generation: Rs 0.25 Crore per 12000 cum/ day (subject to maximum of Rs. 5.00 Crores per project).
- II. Bio-CNG generation:
- -Rs 4.0 Crore per 4800 kg/day (for BioCNG generation from new biogas plant)
- -Rs  3.0  Crore  per  4800  kg/day  (for  BioCNG  generation  from  existing Biogas plant) (subject to maximum of Rs. 10.00 Crores per project)
- III. Power generation based on Biogas:
- -Rs 0.75 Crore per MW (for power generation from new biogas plant)
- -Rs 0.5 Crore per MW (for power generation from existing Biogas plant) [Maximum of Rs. 5.00 Crores per project].

(d) & (e):  The efforts being made by Government of India to encourage stubble processing plants by implementing the following schemes/ programmes.

-  The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) supports installation of small, medium and large size biogas plants and biomass-based briquette/ pellet under National Bioenergy Programme (NBP).
-  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti,  Department  of  Drinking  Water  and  Sanitation launched  Galvanizing  Organic  Bio-Resources  Dhan  (GOBARdhan)  under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Scheme (SBM(G)) to ensure cleanliness in  villages  by  converting  biodegradable  waste  into  biogas  and  organic manure.
-  Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has launched a scheme to provide financial assistance to Compressed Bio-gas producers for procurement of Biomass Aggregation Machinery (BAM).
-  Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has framed Guidelines for grant of one-time financial support under Environment Protection Charge funds for establishment of palletization and Torrefaction plants to promote utilization of paddy straw generated in the NCT of Delhi, States of Punjab & Haryana, and NCR districts of Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh.
-  Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  (MoA&FW)  in  2018  launched scheme for providing subsidy for purchase of crop residue management machinery and establishment of custom hiring centres (CHCs) in NCT of Delhi  and  the  States  of  Punjab,  Haryana  and  Uttar  Pradesh  for  in-situ management of paddy straw. MoA&FW in 2023 revised guidelines under the scheme  to  support  establishment  of  crop  residue/  paddy  straw  supply chain, by providing financial assistance on the capital cost of machinery and equipment.
-  Ministry of Power issued a comprehensive policy for co-firing of biomass pellets (including Torrefied Charcoal made from Municipal Solid Wastes) in coal based Thermal Power Plants. This policy facilitates the utilization of crop  residue  (biomass)  for  power  generation  and  creates  significant demand  for  biomass  pellets,  thereby  encouraging  the  establishment  of palletisation and torrefaction plants across the country.

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