Govt Claims To Commission 6 Bio-CNG, 11,100 Biogas Plants Under NBP

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) claimed that India commissioned six Bio-CNG plants and over 11,000 small biogas plants under the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP) till July 30 this year. The information was shared by Union New and Renewable Energy Minister RK Singh in a reply given before the Lok Sabha. 

The NBP was notified in November 2022 with a budget of Rs 1,715 crore. The program’s first phase, which has a budgetary outlay of Rs 858 crores, is aimed at setting up 100 Bio-CNG plants and 10,000 small biogas plants.

The minister said six Bio-CNG plants had been commissioned in different states such as Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Indore. These plants will produce biogas from agricultural waste and use it as fuel for vehicles. This sustainable and eco-friendly fuel will notably mitigate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

More than 11,100 small biogas plants in rural areas have been installed to produce efficient and clean fuel. It is achieved by utilizing livestock waste, which can be used for cooking and lighting. 

The MNRE has stated that NBP is a major initiative to promote the use of biomass for energy generation. The program will help to reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to the country’s climate change mitigation goals.

In different parts of the country, bio-CNG is being used as an alternative fuel for several energy-based sectors like transportation. For example- the bio-CNG plant in Indore treats 550 tonnes per day of segregated wet organic waste and produces 17,000 kg per day of bio-CNG and 100 tonnes per day of organic compost. 

The Indore Municipal Corporation uses the bio-CNG produced in this plant to fuel parts of their public buses. On the other hand, myriad power conglomerates are planning to set up bi-CNG plants to use this biofuel as either a cooking fuel or a transport fuel. It could also be used in industries and also in the generation of electricity.