New Delhi [India], December 10 (HBTV): Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi has inaugurated a 240 TPD biomass pellet plant in Rewari in Haryana, marking a key step in the State's clean energy transition, according to an official release.
The Minister said the facility represents a major advance in Haryana's contribution to India's renewable energy goals. He noted that the Central Government has recently introduced a policy mandating biomass pellets or torrefied municipal solid waste (MSW) charcoal co-firing in all coal-based thermal power plants. Under this policy, thermal power stations nationwide must co-fire 5 per cent biomass or MSW charcoal by weight, while plants in the Delhi-NCR region will adopt a 7 per cent blend.
For NCR-based plants, at least half of the biomass used will be sourced from local paddy residue and stubble, ensuring stable supply chains and addressing the persistent issue of stubble burning. Joshi added that the Government is simultaneously strengthening systems for source segregation and regulatory oversight to support the production of MSW-derived charcoal, particularly in view of challenges linked to wet and unsegregated waste.
The Minister highlighted that the Rewari facility will process agricultural residues such as paddy straw, mustard straw and cotton stalks into biomass pellets for thermal power co-firing. This, he said, will help reduce pollution and carbon emissions while creating fresh livelihood opportunities for rural communities. It will also provide farmers with an additional income stream. Joshi described the project as an important step towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a sustainable and energy-secure future.
Reaffirming the Centre's long-standing commitment to Haryana, he said that major infrastructure and clean-fuel initiatives are reshaping the State's development path. India has nearly doubled its electricity generation capacity in the past decade and has become a power-exporting nation, he noted, with Haryana benefiting significantly from this growth. With more than 12 GW of existing capacity, the State is on track to reach 24 GW in the coming years.
The Minister said Haryana has installed over 2.8 GW of renewable energy capacity, including 2.4 GW of solar power. More than two lakh households have applied under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and over 45,000 homes have already installed rooftop solar systems, enabling families to save through zero electricity bills.
Under PM-KUSUM, Haryana has installed 18.61 MW under Component A and more than 1.74 lakh solar pumps, allowing farmers to irrigate using solar power instead of diesel. Joshi described this transition as a major boost for farmers, who are emerging not only as food producers but also as contributors to clean energy generation.
He also pointed to Haryana's leadership in green hydrogen projects across Hisar, Panipat and Jhajjar. According to the release, Joshi said these developments position the State at the forefront of the global clean-fuel movement, supported by biomass potential exceeding 1,350 MW and a growing network of waste-to-energy projects totalling nearly 49 MW across 26 units.
Joshi reiterated the Union Government's support for Haryana's clean energy ambitions, noting that the people of the State have consistently contributed to national progress — from defending the borders to sustaining India’s food security — and are now playing a central role in accelerating the shift towards cleaner energy. He expressed confidence that Haryana will emerge as a global leader in clean energy in the years ahead.
K2 Group of Companies, a green-energy enterprise based in Rewari, operates K2 Power Renewal Pvt Ltd, which produces biomass-based electricity, and K2 Biofuels Pvt Ltd, which manufactures biomass pellets from agricultural residues for use in thermal power plants. (ANI)