Biomass, power plants question quality of RDF

BATHINDA: Officials of the biomass and power plants situated in the 100-km radius of the city presented their point of view over the issue of not purchasing Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) prepared at the solid waste management plant during a hearing at the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi today.

It is mandatory for every plant to buy 30% RDF prepared at the solid waste management plant. File Photo

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 11

Officials of the biomass and power plants situated in the 100-km radius of the city presented their point of view over the issue of not purchasing Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) prepared at the solid waste management plant during a hearing at the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi today.

The officials of seven power and biomass plants questioned the quality of the RDF and told the NGT that the fuel could not be used. The management of the plant was of the view that the quality of the RDF had improved and despite that, the companies were not purchasing it.

Officials of the plant said the sale of 30 tonnes of RDF generated from the solid waste management plant per day had become a major problem for them.

These arguments have taken place at a moment when institutions such as NFL have refused to buy the 30 tonnes of fertilizer prepared by the plant. The next date of the hearing is November 15.

The plant is suffering losses as its main source of income is the sale of 30 tonnes of RDF. Its cost is Rs 30 crores. The 30 tonnes of compost is made from 110 tonnes of garbage per day.

The RDF is a way to recycle the litter and it can be used for high energy and can reduce the consumption of coal. Earlier, thermal plants and bio energy plants were buying it.

Companies were purchasing it at a cost of Rs 2,100 per quintal.

But in the past eight months, they refused to buy it despite the NGT’s directions that it is mandatory for every plant to purchase 30 per cent of the RDF prepared at the solid waste management plant situated in Bathinda.

The cluster fee collected from various councils is another source of income of the plant. But the fee has not been deposited with the solid waste plant by councils for the past two years. Due to which, the JITF company is facing problems in operating the plant.

Fuel sale has become a problem: Plant officials

Officials of the solid waste management plant said the sale of 30 tonnes of RDF generated from the solid waste management plant per day had become a major problem for them.
These arguments have taken place at a moment when institutions such as NFL have refused to buy the 30 tonnes of fertilizer prepared by the plant. The next date of hearing is November 15.