The purpose of the project is to utilise the available low-density crop residues (cane
trash/coconut fronds) and other biomass fuels in the region effectively for generation of power.
The generated power from a 4.5 MW biomass power plant is sold to the state grid for sustainable
economic growth, conservation of environment through use of biomass fuels and green house
gases (GHG) emission reductions. The project will also help to reduce the ever-increasing
demand and supply gap of electricity. The project also produces organic fertilisers (with ash from
Biomass Power Plant as input) and distributes to farmers from whose fields the crop residues
are collected.
Malavalli Power Plant Pvt. Ltd. (MPPL) had a primary business mission of pioneering the
utilisation of low density crop residues which are otherwise burnt on the fields (leading to high
particulate emissions) or allowed to decompose (leading to methane release). After intensive
period of desk/field research (1997 to 2000) MPPL constructed the pilot plant which was
commissioned in August 2001. This plant fired only biomass and with over 70% of the fuel being
low density crop residues (primarily cane trash/coconut fronds).
About Me
- Malavalli Biomass Power Plant
- This project is the first of its kind in India. Technical innovations have made it possible to use biomass with a low calorific value as a useful fuel. This has led to a revolution in a poor and sparsely developed region of India, as biomass, until now burned in the fields as waste, has suddenly become valuable and is thus raising the income of the local farmers. The purpose of the project is to use biomass available in the region as an efficient fuel for the production of energy. What is unique about this project is that waste materials with a low thermal value can be used for it. So the waste materials are no longer burned or left to rot in the fields, where they pollute the environment and release greenhouse gases.