Delhi Jal Board to sell biogas from STP projects

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is mulling to collaborate with private firms to commercially utilise raw biogas generated at its sewage treatment plants (STPs) for electricity generation and vehicle fuel. DJB is looking at the option to reduce the wastage of gas currently being flared or underutilised.

The biogas offtake initiative will initially cover two of Delhi’s 37 STPs: Keshopur Phase-I and Yamuna Vihar Phase-II. The DJB has invited expressions of interest from private firms and agencies are likely to be selected by November.

The Keshopur Phase-I plant is being upgraded from 12 million gallons per day (MGD) to 18 MGD, while the Yamuna Vihar Phase-II facility has a capacity of 15 MGD, equivalent to 68 million litres per day.

As per the DJB notification, private companies will purchase untreated biogas directly from the plants and establish their own processing facilities. Potential applications include gas purification, compression, bottling, conversion into bio-compressed natural gas (bio-CNG) and power generation.

The DJB will supply raw biogas at designated delivery points and provide land within the plant premises on a lease or licence basis. Selected companies will be responsible for designing, installing, operating and maintaining their facilities, as well as securing the required statutory approvals and clearances.

Currently, some STPs use biogas for captive power generation and internal consumption. However, gas produced at both identified facilities is being flared. The Keshopur plant’s design provides for biogas generation of 257.26 cubic metres per hour. At Yamuna Vihar Phase-II, monthly production stands at 18,173 cubic metres.

Delhi generates nearly 1,000 MGD of sewage daily, against an existing treatment capacity of 814 MGD. DJB believes that the biogas initiative would help assess market interest, technical capabilities and commercial offers from prospective buyers. Eligible companies will be shortlisted based on their responses, followed by a detailed request for proposals.

If successful, the biogas-STP model could be extended to other STPs across Delhi by DJB, creating opportunities to convert sewage-derived biogas into a commercially valuable energy resource.