Biomass Pellet Plant Haryana inaugurated by Pralhad Joshi converts crop residue into clean energy. The bio-ethanol facility boosts renewable energy, reduces pollution, and supports farmer income.
Pralhad Joshi Inaugurates Pellet Plant, Lays Foundation of Bio-Ethanol Facility in Haryana
Transforming Crop Residue into Clean Energy
On November 24, 2025, Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, inaugurated a biomass pellet plant and laid the foundation stone for a bio-ethanol facility in Rewari district, Haryana. The dual initiative aims to convert agricultural waste — such as paddy straw, mustard straw, and cotton stalks — into biomass pellets and bio-ethanol. Through this conversion, crop residue once regarded as waste will serve as a resource for clean energy production, reducing pollution while generating income for farmers.
The pellet plant has a capacity to produce 240 tonnes of biomass pellets per day. These pellets will be used in thermal power plants for co-firing — i.e., burning along with coal — thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions.
Simultaneously, the foundation stone of the bio-ethanol facility — referred to as the “K2 Bio-Ethanol plant” — was laid. The facility will convert similar agricultural residues into ethanol, which can then be blended with petrol under the upcoming fuel-mix policies. This aligns with the government’s vision of promoting cleaner fuels and reducing oil imports.
Environmental and Rural Livelihood Benefits
Turning crop waste into fuel and pellets offers multiple benefits. First, it helps reduce the practice of stubble burning, which has long been a cause of severe air pollution — especially in northern India. The new plant will address this environmental challenge by diverting crop residue toward productive use.
Second, it offers a new income stream for farmers and rural communities. Instead of burning or discarding leftover straw and stalks, farmers can now sell them to pellet and ethanol plants, thereby improving rural livelihoods.
Third, this initiative supports India’s renewable energy goals by adding biomass-based fuel alternatives to the energy mix. Biomass pellets and bio-ethanol can reduce dependence on coal and imported fossil fuels, especially in thermal power generation and transport sectors respectively.
Government Policy Framework and Mandates
The government has recently introduced a policy mandating co-firing of biomass or municipal solid waste (MSW) charcoal in all coal-based thermal power plants. Under this policy, plants across India are required to co-fire at least 5% biomass or MSW charcoal by weight, and for thermal plants in the Delhi-NCR region the requirement rises to 7%.
For the Delhi-NCR region, at least half of the biomass for co-firing must come from local paddy residue and stubble — making the Rewari plant strategically important, given its proximity to NCR.
Minister Joshi underscored that this policy — combining energy security, environmental protection, and rural welfare — transitions agricultural residue from a burden to a valuable resource.
Implications for Haryana’s Clean-Energy Transition
With the inauguration of the pellet plant and the groundwork for a bio-ethanol facility, Haryana is set to bolster its role in India’s clean energy journey. According to official statements, the state already has substantial renewable energy capacity — including solar power — and these new initiatives will further strengthen its green-fuel infrastructure.
The new biomass pellet facility and future ethanol plant also pave the way for decentralized, rural-based clean fuel production — which can stimulate local economies, promote farmer income, and reduce environmental degradation.
Why This News Is Important
Supports India’s Renewable Energy and Net Zero Targets
The inauguration of the pellet plant and the bio-ethanol project mark a concrete step towards renewable energy adoption in India. By converting agricultural waste into biomass pellets and ethanol, the initiative supports the country’s broader goals — including achieving its “Net Zero 2070” target and fulfilling the objectives of the E20 Mission (which aims to blend 20% ethanol in petrol by 2025).
Tackles Environmental Challenges like Stubble Burning
Stubble burning has been a persistent environmental problem, especially in agrarian states — leading to severe air pollution, health hazards, and worsening air quality. The new plant helps convert crop residue into useful fuel, reducing the need for farmers to burn residual straw, thus mitigating pollution and improving air quality.
Boosts Rural Economy and Farmer Income
By creating demand for agricultural residues, the project transforms leftover stubble into a source of income. This helps farmers earn extra revenue and contributes to rural livelihood generation, thereby fostering inclusive growth beyond conventional agriculture.
Promotes Cleaner Fuel for Power and Transport Sectors
Biomass pellets will be used in thermal power plants for co-firing, reducing reliance on coal and lowering carbon emissions. Meanwhile, bio-ethanol as a fuel will reduce dependence on imported petroleum and help decarbonize the transport sector.
Aligns with Government Policy — A Model for Other Regions
The project validates the government’s policy mandating biomass co-firing and promotes its replicability across other agrarian states. It serves as a model for how agricultural waste can be efficiently utilized — combining environmental benefits with economic gains.
Historical Context
Agricultural residue — particularly paddy straw, mustard straw, and cotton stalks — has traditionally been considered waste after harvest. Farmers often resorted to burning this leftover stubble to quickly clear fields for the next sowing. This practice has contributed significantly to seasonal air pollution, especially in northern India, and has been a recurring challenge for environment, public health, and soil quality.
In recent years, the central and state governments have promoted policies to discourage stubble burning and encourage alternative uses of crop residue. The push for biomass-based energy, biofuels, and waste-to-energy solutions gained further momentum after the announcement of national targets such as the Net Zero 2070 pledge and the E20 (ethanol blending) programme.
Several thermal power plants began shifting toward co-firing biomass or municipal solid waste (MSW) along with coal. However, consistent supply of biomass pellets — especially from agricultural residue — remained a challenge due to lack of processing infrastructure.
The inauguration of the 240 TPD pellet plant at Rewari, Haryana — along with the groundwork for a bio-ethanol facility — represents the fruition of these policy efforts. It demonstrates a scalable and sustainable mechanism to convert agricultural waste into clean energy, providing a replicable model for other agrarian regions.
Thus, this development not only addresses environmental and pollution concerns, but also supports rural economy, clean-energy transition, and energy security in line with India’s long-term strategic goals.
Key Takeaways from This News
| # | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | A 240 TPD biomass pellet plant was inaugurated in Rewari, Haryana, to convert crop residue into pellets for thermal power co-firing. |
| 2 | The foundation stone was laid for a bio-ethanol facility (K2 Bio-Ethanol plant) to convert agricultural waste into ethanol for fuel blending. |
| 3 | The initiative supports the national E20 Mission and contributes to India’s Net Zero 2070 goals. |
| 4 | It helps reduce stubble burning and air pollution by providing a productive use for agricultural residue. |
| 5 | The project offers additional income to farmers, creates rural employment, and strengthens India’s clean-fuel ecosystem. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who inaugurated the biomass pellet plant in Rewari, Haryana?
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the biomass pellet plant.
2. What is the daily production capacity of the pellet plant in Haryana?
The biomass pellet plant has a capacity of 240 tonnes per day (TPD).
3. What types of agricultural residues will the plant process?
The plant will process paddy straw, mustard straw, and cotton stalks to produce biomass pellets.
4. What is the purpose of the bio-ethanol facility laid by Pralhad Joshi?
The bio-ethanol facility will convert agricultural waste into ethanol, which can be blended with petrol under India’s fuel-mix policy.
5. How does the pellet plant help reduce environmental pollution?
By converting crop residue into pellets, the plant prevents stubble burning, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
6. What government policy supports biomass co-firing in thermal power plants?
The government mandates 5% biomass or municipal solid waste co-firing in coal-based thermal plants, and 7% in Delhi-NCR plants.
7. How does this initiative benefit farmers?
Farmers can sell crop residue like paddy straw and mustard stalks to the pellet and ethanol plants, generating additional income.
8. How does this project contribute to India’s renewable energy goals?
It adds biomass and bio-ethanol as alternative energy sources, reducing dependence on coal and imported petroleum, supporting India’s Net Zero 2070 target.
9. What is the significance of Rewari plant for Delhi-NCR?
The plant supplies local biomass for co-firing in thermal plants, ensuring compliance with regional environmental mandates.
10. What are the broader benefits of this project?
It promotes clean energy, rural employment, sustainable agriculture practices, and aligns with India’s renewable energy policies.
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