This story is from March 2, 2022

Haryana powercom in trouble with regulator over biofuel

Using torrified pellets (cylindrical densified biofuel) in the thermal power stations of Yamunanagar and Hisar has put Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) in trouble with the HERC, as the electricity regulator and Haryana Power Purchase Centre have raised a number of questions.
Haryana powercom in trouble with regulator over biofuel
Image used for representational purpose only
CHANDIGARH: Using torrified pellets (cylindrical densified biofuel) in the thermal power stations of Yamunanagar and Hisar has put Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) in trouble with the HERC, as the electricity regulator and Haryana Power Purchase Centre have raised a number of questions.
Complying with the central government’s orders, the HPGCL has started using coal-mixed crop residue bales (paddy straw) as fuel for these stations, to continue which it moved Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission for certain sanctions.
Last week, the HERC came out with an interim order to question the difference in the HPGCL’s National Thermal Power Corporation Limited’s procurement prices for straw pellets.
The HPGCL’s procurement price for every metric tonne was up to Rs 8,400 against NTPC’s Rs 6,600. The regulator also asked the HPGCL to justify the procurement process, claiming that the procurement was done without taking its permission. It has also asked for the details of any consultation with Hareda (Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency) or any other agency.
The corporation and the state’s electricity distribution companies have locked horns over power purchase agreements. The HPGCL, in its annual revenue requirement, had flagged the issue of procurement of electricity from third parties, claiming that Haryana Power Purchase Centre had paid a higher rate to the outsiders in violation of the rules. For the past few years, acting on the directions of the central and state governments, the HPGCL fires thermal power plants with paddy straw to reduce air pollution levels.
For manufacturing of torrefied biomass pellets, the raw materials used is the surplus crop residue generally, which is otherwise burnt in the field after harvesting the crop.
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