The MoU aims at partnering on research, development and engineering of technologies that will enable NTPC to reduce the amount of coal fired in their units and gradually replace it by co-firing of ‘alternate fuel’ in boiler - both (i) carboneous (methanol, Carbon neutral fuel- agri-waste, biomass, etc) and (ii)  non-carboneous  (such as ammonia ). This will make use of huge existing infrastructure and less new investment will not be required as compared to other de-carbonisation options. Further, as in India coal is the only option for base load so it will help to reduce carbon footprint from source of reliable power, for decades in future.

As a primary goal, the collaboration is to support NTPC in co-firing of biomass pellets beyond 20 per cent and up to 100 per cent, as well as enabling the co-firing of methanol. It will also explore the possibility of introducing ammonia as a co-firing fuel, and also develop, test and demonstrate technologies that allow a total co-firing with lower carbon fuels in coal fired power plants.