BPCL, GPS Renewables make joint venture to build CBG plants across India

State owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has joined hands with GPS Renewables Pvt Ltd to launch a joint venture aimed at developing a nationwide network of compressed biogas (CBG) plants all across the country. The initiative marks a major push towards strengthening India’s renewable energy infrastructure and accelerating BPCL’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions.

The officials statement by the parties held that the agreement formalizes an earlier partnership revealed in September 2024. The newly formed JV will focus on converting organic biomass waste into compressed biogas, a cleaner and renewable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, using advanced waste-to-energy technologies.

According to BPCL, this initiative addresses several urgent environmental concerns, including the sustainable management of agricultural waste—particularly the pervasive issue of stubble burning—while also helping cut down greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the project is expected to generate rural employment by creating a structured supply chain for agri-residue procurement.

As part of the plan, 8 to 10 CBG plants will be established through GPS Renewables over the next few years across states rich in agricultural biomass—namely Bihar, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. These locations have been strategically selected to align with BPCL’s existing city gas distribution networks, which will help minimize transportation costs and boost overall operational efficiency.

The joint venture will also contribute to several flagship government programs, including GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan), SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation), and the Compressed Biogas Blending Obligation (CBO). These schemes aim to promote circular economy practices and cleaner fuel adoption.

BPCL said that the partnership with GPS Renewables is a prime example of how public-private collaboration can drive scalable, innovative clean energy solutions and support India’s low-carbon energy transition.

BPCL, a Fortune Global 500 company and India’s second-largest oil marketing firm targeting Net Zero emissions by 2040.

GPS Renewables, a pioneer in India’s biofuel sector, has built over 100 biogas plants across the country. The company recently acquired Germany-based Proweps Envirotech GmbH, strengthening its technological and engineering expertise in biogas solutions derived from municipal and agricultural waste. Its portfolio includes Asia’s largest renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, located in Indore and based on municipal solid waste processing.

GPS Renewables had a similar agreement with OIL India Limited (OIL) to form a joint venture to establish 8 CBG plants in the country.

In April 2024, GPS Renewables secured $50 million (Rs 410 crore) in debt financing from a consortium of banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) for the development of biogas plants in India. At the end of December 2023, GPS announced that it secured orders totalling Rs 2,000 crore for the development of multiple biogas projects.