Thermax bags ₹500+ cr orders for five bio-CNG plants 

 The company aims 1 GW hybrid renewables, to expand coal gasification.

Thermax, a prominent provider of energy and environmental solutions committed to being a trusted partner in the energy transition, showcased its innovative technologies and tailored solutions at the inaugural Thermax Fest in Pune, taking place from December 12-15, 2023. During the event, the Thermax Group unveiled key announcements outlining its vision and future initiatives in alignment with global energy transition goals.

As part of its dedication to sustainable solutions, Thermax, through one of its subsidiaries, has successfully secured orders exceeding ₹ 500 crore from a leading energy conglomerate. These orders involve the establishment of five bio-CNG plants across India, situated in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and two in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh each. With a combined production capacity of 110 tonnes per day (TPD) of bio-CNG, these plants will leverage local feedstock exceeding 1,000 TPD, including rice straw, Napier grass, cane trash, and soya trash. The generated bio-CNG will be utilised for both commercial and captive use by the customer, aligning with Thermax’s broader initiative to introduce solutions in biochemicals and bioenergy.

Thermax, recognised as the largest provider of biomass-based green energy solutions for fuel flexibility, offers a diverse range of products, including standard offerings, hybrid energy systems, complex engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects, as well as green steam/power as a service. The company has also invested in a biomass-sourcing supply chain for captive consumption, ensuring a consistent biomass fuel supply.

In pursuit of cleaner energy alternatives, Thermax has set a goal to install 1 GW of hybrid renewable energy solutions by FY 2027. These projects, spanning intra-state and inter-state locations, aim to meet the round-the-clock clean electricity requirements of various industries. Among the 290 MWp (commissioned and under construction) is a state-of-the-art wind and solar bundled captive power project in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, comprising 100 MW of wind and 90 MWp of solar capacity. This project, currently being evacuated at 110 kV in phases, serves leading organisations in the tyre, auto component, petrochemical, and textile industries. Thermax currently manages an operational portfolio of 140 MWp, with an additional 145 MWp under construction, over 300 MW in development, and 400 MW in the pipeline.

Furthermore, Thermax is actively working towards developing gasification plants with carbon capture capabilities to process coal ranging from 100 to 500 TPD. Leveraging fluidised bed coal gasification technology, the company has implemented a pilot gasifier project at its Pune factory in collaboration with IIT Delhi and support from the Department of Science and Technology. This technology, developed indigenously, converts high-ash Indian coal into value-added fuels, addressing the needs of hard-to-abate industries such as the steel sector and aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030.

In addition to its green initiatives, Thermax has recently introduced electrical energy solutions, including the electric boiler and hybrid heat pump, to meet heating and cooling requirements. These indigenously developed products reduce dependence on imports, minimise associated costs, and contribute to lowering reliance on fossil fuels, optimising energy use, and achieving zero emissions when powered by green electricity.

Ashish Bhandari, MD and CEO said, “For 50 years, Thermax has played a vital role in India’s energy landscape. We are continuously driving sustainability through innovation, cross-functional expertise and partnerships. To address the country’s unique energy challenges, we have pioneered technologies for converting waste to energy and are investing in newer areas such as hybrid renewables, biofuels, green hydrogen, and more. As a trusted partner in energy transition, our commitment is to bridge the gap between energy availability and sustainability. Thermax Fest is a confluence that showcases some of these technologies and cutting-edge solutions that can help industries meet their climate commitments.”