GAIL India makes strategic investment in TruAlt firm for CBG projects

GAIL (India) Ltd has invested Rs 13.54 crore in Leafiniti Bioenergy, a subsidiary of TruAlt Bioenergy, to give speed to the development of Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects.

The investment follows a Share Subscription-cum-Shareholders’ Agreement signed on August 11, 2025, under which GAIL will acquire a 49% equity stake in Leafiniti, while TruAlt will retain a majority 51% share. The partnership establishes a balanced joint venture structure, with phased investments aligned to strict governance and project approval frameworks aimed at ensuring sustainable growth in the clean gas sector.

The collaboration combines expertise in bioenergy of TruAlt with GAIL’s extensive gas infrastructure to develop a network of greenfield CBG plants across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Odisha.

In the first phase, the joint venture plans to set up six greenfield CBG plants, each with a production capacity of 12 tonnes per day, primarily utilising residues from sugar mills. Together, these facilities are expected to produce around 23,976 tonnes of CBG annually.

In addition to clean fuel, the plants will produce valuable agricultural by-products, including 97,902 tonnes of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) and 4,70,862 tonnes of Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM) each year, promoting soil health and advancing circular agriculture.

Environmentally, the first phase of the venture is projected to replace nearly 19,800 tonnes of fossil fuels annually and prevent about 9,300 tonnes of methane emissions, contributing to India’s broader climate goals, including its net-zero target by 2070.

Vijay Nirani, Founder & Managing Director, TruAlt Bioenergy, said, “This joint venture goes beyond infrastructure or investment; it reflects a new paradigm in energy thinking where national security, rural prosperity and climate action are not competing priorities, but converging outcomes. By aligning public sector strength with private sector innovation, we are building an energy architecture that is future-ready, globally competitive, and fundamentally rooted in India’s strengths. In doing so, we are not just responding to the uncertainties of today, we are shaping the contours of a more secure, self-reliant, and climate-resilient energy future for India.”

Rajeev Kumar Singhal, Director Business Development, GAIL (India) Ltd, added, “India currently imports about 50% of its natural gas requirement. By scaling up CBG, we can reduce foreign exchange outflows strengthen energy security against global price and supply shocks. We are seeing a future where our energy is produced locally, in our own villages and cities. CBG is not just a fuel, it addresses waste management, fuels our transport, and empowers our rural heartlands.”