The NTPC commissions its Varanasi green coal plant

NTPC has commissioned the first-of-its-kind commercial green coal project in Varanasi, which will make torrefied charcoal from municipal waste.

Nearly three years ago NTPC had planned to make green coal (torrefied charcoal) from municipal waste, a company statement said.

When all three modules are installed, the plant will have a waste handling capacity of 600 TPD. The plant is built on 20 acres of land. Torrefied charcoal (green coal) which is similar to natural coal can be successfully blended with fuel in thermal power plants to produce electricity.

The process is environment-friendly as there is no burning of waste, it is rather processed inside the reactor using Macawber Beekay's specialised conversion technology.

Out of 200 tonnes of waste from this unit, NTPC got 70 tonnes of green coal. After the successful experiment, more units of green coal from waste will be set up, it stated.