PROMOTION OF BIOMASS COGENERATION WITH POWER EXPORT IN THE INDIAN SUGAR-INDUSTRY

To meet India's projected power demand over the next 25 years, over 30 0,000 MVe of new generating capacity will need to be installed. Cogene ration, the combined generation of steam and electricity, is an effici ent and cost-effective means to save energy and reduce pollution. Many studies around the world have identified sugar mill cogeneration as a n attractive low-cost power option. Most studies estimate the cogenera tion potential of India's sugar mills at around 3500 MWe. The United S tates Agency for International Development (USAID) has implemented a G reenhouse Gas Pollution Prevention (GEP) Project to assist in the dire ction and pace of India's power sector development. This seven-year, U S$19 million effort is funded through the United States' contribution to the pilot phase of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). The GEF 's mission is to assist developing countries in investing in environme ntal protection initiatives that yield global benefits in terms of red uced or avoided greenhouse gas emissions. Technical aspects of the GEP Project are being managed by the United States Department of Energy's Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center. The objective of the Advanced Ba gasse Cogeneration (ABC) Component of the GEP Project is to promote ye ar-round cogeneration in Indian sugar mills with power export using on ly biomass as a fuel. The structure of the ABC Component, which is imp lemented through technical assistance and investment subcomponents, an d the status of various activities are reviewed. Also, sugar productio n and economics are reviewed from both a global and local perspective to reveal how they impact the potential for cogeneration projects in I ndian sugar mills. Progress in the Indian sugar industry should pave t he way for cogeneration projects in other industrial sectors, such as paper, chemicals, and textiles. Contributions from these sectors are i mportant if India is to meet its huge power generation needs. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.