India’s TSPL starts up torrefied bio-pellet plant

Spanish Market: Biomass, Coal
29/04/25

India's private sector utility Talwandi Sabo Power (TSPL) has set up a torrefied bio-pellet manufacturing facility in the northern state of Punjab, to ensure steady biomass supply to its 1.98GW coal-fired plant.

The pellet plant has a capacity of 500 t/d or 182,500 t/yr of torrefied bio-pellets, and use agricultural stubble or residue as feedstock, according to TSPL, a unit of mining conglomerate Vedanta. The Punjab region generates around 15-20mn t/yr of crop stubble, according to TSPL. The plant had already purchased over 800,000t of agricultural stubble, which it will convert to around 640,000t of torrefied bio-pellets. The utility is also targeting to reduce "5pc use of coal daily" by replacing the fuel with torrefied bio-pellets.

TSPL also co-fires 450 t/d of torrefied biomass that is purchased from other suppliers in the open market. The utility typically seeks torrefied pellets made from agricultural residue with a minimum of 50pc raw material from stubble, straw, or crop residue from rice paddy. The gross calorific value of pellets procured for its plant usually ranges between GAR 3,400-5,000 kcal/kg.

Vedanta's aluminium unit had also used biomass briquettes for power generation. Its alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Odisha consumes about 20 t/d of biomass briquettes, according to Vedanta. The briquettes are made from agricultural residue sourced from farmers in India.

By Nadhir Mokhtar

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16/05/25

US House panel votes down Republican megabill

Washington, 16 May (Argus) — A key committee in the US House of Representatives voted today to reject a massive budget bill backed by President Donald Trump, as far-right conservatives demanded deeper cuts to clean energy tax credits and social spending programs. The House Budget Committee failed to pass the budget reconciliation bill in a 16-21 vote, with four House Freedom Caucus members — Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Josh Brecheen (R-Oklahoma) and Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia) — voting no alongside Democrats. A fifth Republican voted no for procedural reasons. The failed vote will force Republicans to consider major changes to the bill before it comes up for a vote on the House floor as early as next week. Republican holdouts say the bill would fall short of their party's promises to cut the deficit, particularly because it would front-load increased spending and back-load cuts. The bill is set to add $3.3 trillion to the deficit, or $5.2 trillion if temporary provisions were permanent, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Some critics of the bill said the proposed cut of $560bn in clean energy tax credits is not enough, because the bill would retain some tax credits for new wind and solar projects. "A lot of these credits have been in existence for 30 or 40 years, and you talk about giveaways, we want to help those who really need help," Norman said ahead of his no vote. "That's the heart of this. Sadly, I'm a no until we get this ironed out." Negotiations will fall to House speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who can only lose three votes when the bill comes up for a vote by the full House. But stripping away more of the energy tax credits enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act could end up costing Johnson votes among moderates. More than a dozen Republicans on 14 May asked to pare back newly proposed restrictions on the remaining clean energy tax credits. Ahead of the failed vote, Trump had pushed Republicans to support what he calls the "Big Beautiful Bill". In a social media post, he said "Republicans MUST UNITE" in support of the bill and said the party did not need "GRANDSTANDERS". The failed vote has parallels to the struggles that Democrats had in 2021 before the implosion of their push to pass their sprawling "Build Back Better" bill, which was later revived as the Inflation Reduction Act. Republicans say they will work over the weekend on a compromise. The House Budget Committee has scheduled another hearing at 10pm on 18 May to attempt to vote again on the budget package, but any changes to the measure would occur later, through an amendment released before the bill comes up for a vote on the House floor. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

India’s coal imports drop in Apr 2024-Feb 2025

14/05/25

India’s coal imports drop in Apr 2024-Feb 2025

Singapore, 14 May (Argus) — India's imports of all types of coal declined on the year from April 2024 to February 2025 because domestic supplies rose, the federal coal ministry said. The country's imports of all types of coal — including thermal and coking coal — fell by 9.2pc from a year earlier to 220.3mn t during the 11-month period, the ministry said. India's production rose by 5.5pc from a year earlier to 929.15mn t over the same period. The drop in imports resulted in foreign exchange savings of about $6.93bn, it said. Imports declined as the country continued to boost output, in line with federal efforts to expand commercial coal mining and coking coal output as well as reduce imports, the ministry said. Increases in domestic supplies could weigh on demand for imports, although key coal-consuming industries could continue to source seaborne material for their operations, especially as domestic coal is comparatively inferior in quality. Utilities' imports for blending with domestic coal fell by 39pc during the period, the ministry said, without elaborating on the volume. The drop comes as Delhi did not renew its order on imported-domestic coal blending after the directives expired in October last year. But it has extended its directive requiring imported coal-fired utilities to boost generation until 30 June , a move that could support demand for seaborne coal during the peak summer period. Imports Imports would continue to be part of the mix to power India's economic growth, especially as it serves as a primary energy source for critical industries including power, steel, and cement, the ministry added. Imports have been vital to meet the needs of key sectors because India faces challenges in meeting the growing domestic demand, especially for coking coal and high-grade thermal coal, the ministry said. India imported 38.29mn t of thermal coal in January-March, down from 41.87mn t a year earlier, according to data from shipbroker Interocean. Imports may have remained under pressure in April, with India's seaborne thermal coal receipts estimated at 15.77mn t for the month, down from 15.84mn t a year earlier, according to trade analytics platform Kpler. By Saurabh Chaturvedi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Australia’s Macquarie unwinds coking coal funding ban

13/05/25

Australia’s Macquarie unwinds coking coal funding ban

Sydney, 13 May (Argus) — Australian investment bank Macquarie has changed its investment rules to fund coking coal mines, in a partial reversal of its 2021 coal financing ban. The bank made the change in November 2024, it said in its annual report for the year ended 31 March, released last week. It will now make short-term funding deals lasting less than 12 months for coking coal developments, to help producers buy, expand, or run coking coal mines. Macquarie's rule change still bans long-term investments in coking coal projects. There are few viable alternatives to coking coal for the steel and industrial sectors, Macquarie said. The company has maintained its ban on thermal coal financing, apart from specific emissions reduction projects. It is also working on supporting emissions reduction projects in the Australian oil and gas sectors, although it did not disclose which projects. Macquarie is not the only bank moving away from fossil fuel financing. Australian bank ANZ will stop lending capital to companies heavily involved in the thermal coal sector by 2030. It reduced its lending to thermal coal mining firms by 85pc between 2015 and July 2024,it said in July last year. It also stopped [funding new upstream oil and gas projects](https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2566501), with limited exceptions, in May 2024. Macquarie has expanded its climate finance role over recent years. The bank set up a renewable energy business to fund utility-scale projects in Australia and New Zealand in November 2023. Macquarie is also involved in carbon markets. The company is continuing to help clients with compliance and voluntary carbon markets, including in newer locations like China, the company said, without disclosing further details. It has also purchased and retired 59,164t of CO2 equivalent of Australian Carbon Credit Units and other voluntary offsets to cover business travel in its 2024-25 financial year ended 31 March. By Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EU consults on tariffs for €95bn US imports

09/05/25

EU consults on tariffs for €95bn US imports

Brussels, 9 May (Argus) — The European Commission is consulting on an extensive list, worth €95bn ($107bn), of US industrial, agricultural and other imports that could be subject to tariff countermeasures. The long list includes extends from livestock, biofuels, wood pellets to metals, aircraft, tankers and polymers . The consultation runs until midday on 10 June. It is aimed at stakeholders affected by US measures and possible EU rebalancing measures. Also considered for possible countermeasures are restrictions, worth €4.4bn, on EU exports to the US of steel, iron and aluminium scrap, as well as toluidines, alcoholic solutions and enzymes (CN codes 7204, 7602, 292143, 330210 and 350790). The commission linked the possible new measures to US universal tariffs and to Washington's specific tariffs on cars and car parts. The commission said the public consultation is a necessary procedural step. It does not automatically result in countermeasures. The EU also launched a WTO dispute procedure against the US for Washington's universal tariffs, set at 20pc for EU goods and currently paused at 10pc, and at 25pc on all imports of vehicles and car parts. The commission will need approval by EU governments under a simplified legislative procedure. Officials say this will complete a legal act for the countermeasures, making them "ready to use" if talks with the US do not produce a "satisfactory" result. The list of products potentially targeted includes livestock, along with items ranging from spectacles to antiques. The 218-page list includes a range of agricultural and food products including oats, maize, and cereal pellets. Also included are biodiesel and wood pellets (CN codes 38260010, 44013100), as well as paper and cotton products. Aluminium, iron, steel are listed together with a wide range of other goods from gas turbines, ships propellers and blades, aircraft, sea-going tankers and other vessels. Polymers, copolymers, polyesters and other products are not spared (CN codes 39039090 and more). On 10 April, the EU paused its reciprocal tariffs against the US for 90 days, responding to a US pause. The EU notes that €379bn, or 70pc, of the bloc's exports to the US are currently subject to new or paused tariffs. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

New Zealand’s Fonterra starts electrode boiler

09/05/25

New Zealand’s Fonterra starts electrode boiler

Sydney, 9 May (Argus) — New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra has turned on an electrode boiler at its Edendale plant and commissioned two more. This will help reduce CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 72,800 t/yr from 2027. The co-operative's three boilers will replace coal-fired systems and be powered by renewable energy generated at Edendale, it said on 7 May. Emissions reductions from the plant will account for 4pc of Fonterra's target of a 50.4pc reduction in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions relative to 2018 levels by 2030. The co-operative has committed NZ$70mn ($41.3mn) to build the Edendale boilers, with additional co-funding from New Zealand's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). Fonterra's on-farm emissions are excluded from New Zealand's emissions trading system , but its coal boilers fall under the scheme. The co-operative has been moving away from coal boilers since 2018, reducing its CO2e emissions by 200,400 t/yr through six conversions. Fonterra has converted coal boilers into wood-fired and electrode boilers in collaboration with EECA. Its 2020 Te Awamutu coal-to-biomass boiler conversion led to a 98.4pc decline in CO2e emissions, from 90,395 t/yr to 1,425 t/yr, according to an EECA study. Fonterra was looking for 80,000-100,000t of Vietnamese wood pellets on a one-year contract starting in mid-2025 as it moves away from fossil fuels to renewables, market participants told Argus in December 2024. By Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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