NTPC, Chempolis sign MoU for bio-refinery

19 Apr 2023 , 11:03 AM

Power giant NTPC and Chempolis India, a Fortum group associate company, have inked a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to study the feasibility of establishing a bamboo-based bio-refinery in Bongaigaon.

The ministry of power said in a statement on April 18 that, ‘Chempolis will work with NTPC to conduct the feasibility study for the project which shall utilise bamboo for the production of 2G ethanol, bio-coal for thermal power plant and other value-added products. The proposed bio-refinery is planned as an integration project with NTPC Bongaigaon power plant, where all utility requirements such as steam, power, etc., shall be supplied from the power plant.’

Dillip Kumar Patel, director (HR) of NTPC, Ashok Kumar Kalra, Director (HR) of EIL, and Markus Alholm, President & CEO of Chempolis were present when the MoU was signed.

The proposed bamboo-based bio-refinery is intended to be integrated with the NTPC Bongaigaon Power Plant, which supplies all utility requirements such as steam and power. The bio-coal produced by the bio-refinery will partially replace coal in the power plant, effectively converting 5% of the plant’s output into green energy.

The project will be focusing on support NTPC’s decarbonization efforts, create job opportunities, and promote the use of locally available resources. EIL serves as the project consultant for NTPC in preparing the detailed project report.