State-run NTPC and GE Power India Limited have signed an MoU to reduce the carbon footprint of NTPC's existing coal-fired power plants.

The MoU aims at partnering on on research, development and engineering of technologies that will enable NTPC to reduce the amount of coal fired in their units and gradually replace it by co-firing of ‘alternate fuel’ such as methanol, biomass, and ammonia in boilers, the Ministry of Power said in a release on Thursday (22 December).

These alternative fuels are both carboneous (such as methanol and biomass) and non-carboneous (such as ammonia).

As coal is currently the only option for base load power in India, the use of alternative fuels will help to reduce the carbon footprint of NTPC's power plants. This is particularly important as India looks ahead to achieve its net-zero targets and transition to a more sustainable energy system.

The collaboration will focus on co-firing biomass pellets up to 100 per cent and co-firing methanol, as well as exploring the possibility of introducing ammonia as a co-firing fuel.

The two firms will also develop technologies that allow for total co-firing with lower carbon fuels in coal-fired power plants.

The use of alternative fuels in coal-fired power plants can bring benefits in terms of cost and efficiency.

By co-firing these fuels, NTPC can make use of its existing infrastructure and avoid the need for new investments, as compared to other decarbonisation options. This can help to ensure that power generation remains efficient, reliable, and affordable for consumers.

Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya, Director Projects, NTPC Limited said, “We are looking forward to working with GE Power India Limited as NTPC intends to minimise the carbon footprint of our 57+ GW coal-based units".

"We aim to decrease carbon footprint from our coal fired power plants by co-firing of alternative fuel such as carbon neutral fuel, Green Methanol and Green Ammonia. It will support our goal of reducing carbon emissions from our coal-based power generation, as part of NTPC’s The Brighter Plan 2032 that aims at setting new benchmarks in sustainability along the entire energy value chain in India," Bhattacharya added.

coal fired power plants

Get Swarajya in your inbox.