Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency to work with sago units
A.K. Dhussa, director in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, explained that there were two aspects to these projects. One was production of biogas from industrial waste and the other was power generation from biogas. The Union Government provided Rs. 50 lakh subsidy for production of 12,000 cubic metre of gas (one MW equivalent) and Rs. 1 crore subsidy for generation of one MW from the biogas. The region had about 450 sago industries and the potential for energy production from the waste in these units was 60 MW. Mr. Gandhi suggested that the agency could work with the paper industry too to help the sector tap the renewable energy potential. “We can work together regarding investment patterns, technology and consultancy.”
The solar energy scenario in the country would explode with the implementation of the Solar Mission.In Tamil Nadu about 25 per cent of the total energy generation was from wind. The shortage of 20 to 30 per cent faced now could be made up by tapping the potential in solar.The State Governments were likely to come out with their policies for solar energy after the Centre announced the Solar Mission, he said.
Mr. Dhussa said the pulp and paper industry had the potential to generate nearly 60 MW from industrial waste. The units generated solid and liquid waste. The solid waste could be burnt and power could be generated from the liquid waste through biomethanation. Technology and Government support was available for this.The units would save on the waste treatment cost. During the last three years, nearly 45 biomass gasifier projects with nearly 60 MW thermal capacity and 20 gasifier projects for power generation had been installed in the country.
