• The Union Ministry of Power has announced to set up a ‘National Mission on use of Biomass’ in coal based thermal power plants. This decision was taken to address issue of air pollution caused due to farm stubble-burning.

Key Highlights of Mission

• Mission will reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation.
• It will also help in energy transition across the country and help in fulfilling the aim of establishing cleaner energy sources.
• Level of co-firing from present five percent to higher levels will also be increased in order to get higher carbon-neutral power generation from thermal power plants.
• Mission will facilitate platform to overcome constraints in supply chain of biomass pellets and agro- residue including its transportation to power plants.
• It will consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.
• Mission will also contribute in National Clean Air Programme.
• The Mission will be administered by Steering Committee which is headed by Power Secretary consisting of all stakeholders, representatives from Petroleum and New & Renewable Energy Ministries.

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

• NCAP was launched by government to tackle air pollution problem across India in a comprehensive manner. It seeks to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024. It has kept 2017 as base year to compare concentration.