Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (UJVNl) has on principle approved power generation of 16 megawatt and 22 megawatt capacity at Nadehi and Bajpur sugar mills (cooperative sector) from Bagasse- sugarcane fiber waste that are left after juice is extracted. The surplus energy produced can be released to the state grid, said BCK Mishra, director operation UJVNl. A presentation on Bagasse based thermal power production was held in the board meeting at UJVNl headquarters. He said that sugar, bagasse, ethanol and molasses are the byproducts of extracted sugarcane. Some private sugar mills use their own bagasse during the season and generate steam to run boilers and turbines. They also generate power to run their plants. As of now, Nadehi and Bajpur sugar mills (cooperative sector) are producing insufficient power due to outdated and old machines and turbines. After power generation of 38 megawatt capacity at Nadehi and Bajpur sugar mills from Bagasse- sugarcane fiber waste, some power (around two or three megawatt) will be given to the sugar mills while remaining power would be supplied to the state through grid to meet customers’ demand. This would help the sugar mills to give payment to sugarcane farmers on time. The power generation from sugarcane offers a renewable energy option that promotes sustainable development, he added.
