NTPC commissions first green coal project in Varanasi

17 Mar 2023 , 11:37 AM

The state-owned power company NTPC has launched the world’s first commercial green coal project in Varanasi, which will produce torrefied charcoal from municipal waste.

According to a company statement, NTPC planned to produce green coal (torrefied charcoal) from municipal waste nearly three years ago.

According to a statement, Macawber Beekay was awarded the project by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVNL) on an EPC basis. Recently, the first reactor module, which has a capacity of 200 tonnes per day (TPD), was successfully installed and commissioned for NTPC’s Harit Koyla (Green Coal) Pariyojna plant in Ramana, Varanasi.

After all three modules are installed, the total waste handling capacity of this plant will be 600 TPD.

The plant occupies 20 acres of land. Torrefied charcoal (green coal), which is similar to natural coal, can be successfully blended with fuel to generate electricity in thermal power plants.

The process is environmentally friendly because no waste is burned; instead, it is processed inside the reactor using Macawber Beekay’s specialized conversion technology.

According to the statement, NTPC produced 70 tonnes of green coal from 200 tonnes of waste via this process. The successful outcome of this experiment has prompted plans to establish additional units to create green coal from waste.

For feedback and suggestions, write to us at [e-mail]