Panipat CBG Project: GPS Renewables delivers 100% capacity in record 103 days!

In a significant boost to India’s compressed biogas (CBG) sector, Bengaluru based conglomerate GPS Renewables has announced that its Panipat CBG project has ramped up to 100% nameplate capacity in just 103 days! The company said the milestone was achieved even though nearly 90% of the feedstock in the digesters comprised raw paddy straw—and notably, without the use of paddle agitators.

Describing the achievement as akin to winning the ‘4th Battle of Panipat,’ the company – led by CEO Mainak Chakraborty – termed it a ‘War on Stubble’ and ‘A Fight for India’s Energy Independence.’ The reference draws from the historic battles fought in Panipat, underscoring the symbolic importance of the breakthrough in a region often associated with crop residue burning.

In an official statement, GPS Renewables highlighted that the core challenge was to prove that paddy straw-based CBG plants can be financially viable at scale. Key milestones included demonstrating consistent production of 5 tonnes per day (TPD) of CBG per digester, achieving sustainable raw paddy yield of 12% or higher—with potential to exceed 13%—and ramping up a full-scale plant in under four months.

Moreover, GPS Renewables emphasized the successful use of hammer mills instead of costlier pre-processing equipment to improve capex and opex economics.

Vineeth Sivaraj, Senior Vice President – Operations & Maintenance, called it a watershed moment for the CBG industry. He said “We extend our sincere gratitude to the senior leadership at Reliance Bioenergy for their unwavering guidance and support throughout this journey. At no point were we made to feel like vendors; we were always treated as true partners in this mission.”

The company noted that projects in Barabanki and Jhajjar had earlier demonstrated sustained yields above 12% on raw paddy. However, achieving all performance benchmarks simultaneously had remained elusive until now.

GPS Renewables is striving to revolutionise CBG in the country entering JVs with India’s leading energy firms like IOCL, OIL and BPCL. Across India, CBG plants designed and built by GPS Renewables are producing 100 TPD of CBG – equivalent to 5,000 MMBTu of renewable gas every day – from both agri-residue and municipal solid waste.