Biogas production at Tirupati (TTD) plant likely from July

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is set to commence compressed biogas (CBG) production in Tirumala the coming July. The biogas plant aims to generate 1,500 kg of clean gas per day, addressing both waste management and energy demands. The biogas project will be utilizing food waste from the Mathrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Nithya Anna Prasadam Complex and other TTD-run establishments.

The biogas plant is currently under construction at Kakula Thippa and it will have the capacity to process 50 tonnes of food and wet waste daily. The project is being with a total cost of more than Rs 12 crore. The biogas plant construction is being funded jointly by TTD, which is contributing Rs 5.85 crore, and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), which is providing Rs 6 crore through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Following an assessment by IOCL, the Central government determined that Tirumala’s waste could support biogas generation of up to 1,500 kg per day. However, the daily gas requirement for TTD institutions in Tirumala ranges between 3,500 and 4,500 kg.

Tirumala generates vast amounts of wet and dry waste, including legacy waste accumulated over the past 40 years. The Anna Prasadam Complex alone contributes 30 tonnes of food waste daily, along with five tonnes of leafy waste and five tonnes of vegetable, fruit, and flower waste. The new biogas plant is expected to play a crucial role in sustainable waste management while contributing to TTD’s energy needs.

As per sources, the  biogas plant spans over 2.22 acres, with an additional 0.17 acres allocated for compost storage. Upon completion, the biogas generated from mixed wastes will be transported through a 2.5 km pipeline to the Anna Prasadam Complex.