Assam Govt to sign deal with Reliance Bio Energy to bolster CBG projects

The Assam state cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will be signed with Reliance Industries to advance the state’s transition to green energy. Under the upcoming agreement, Reliance Bio Energy will collaborate with the Compressed Biogas (CBG) sector of Assam to explore avenues for producing green fuel and facilitating a shift away from fossil fuels.

The biogas sector announcement was made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma following the crucial cabinet meeting. Chief Minister Sarma highlighted that discussions will be held to assess the feasibility and convenience of implementing the project in Assam. He said that the Assam Government will examine how practical and achievable this is within the state, noting the cabinet’s eagerness to explore these opportunities.

Reliance Industries has already expressed interest in establishing a biorefinery in Assam, which the Chief Minister confirmed at the Assam Tribune Dialogue on September 14. “I got a letter from the Reliance Industries saying that they seek to set up six biorefineries in the country and have chosen Assam as one of its destinations,” Sarma shared.

The cabinet’s support for the MoU aligns with the Assam Ethanol Production Promotion Policy, launched in 2021, which encourages ethanol production from approved feedstocks under the National Policy on Biofuels 2018. This policy has positioned Assam as India’s second state to adopt such a forward-looking framework.

With support from Reliance Industries and state policies favoring sustainable energy development, Assam is poised to strengthen India’s energy security, empower local farmers and businesses, and reduce vehicular pollution.

Besides a score of key announcements, the cabinet has also allocated Rs 205 crore to the Numaligarh refinery to further these initiatives.

The development of biofuels is taking some speed in the North-Eastern parts of the country of late. Earlier this year, government owned companies Oil India Limited (OIL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) announced their plans to build around 8 to 10 CBG plants in various districts of Assam and other North-East states.