IBA, IOCL agree to stimulate bioenergy sector together

The Indian Biogas Association (IBA) has announced a key step taken to boost biofuels sector in the country as that it has signed an MoU with state-owned Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) to advance the development of the bioenergy and bio-hydrogen sectors in India.

According to the official joint statement issued by IOCL and IBA, the partnership would leverage the complementary strengths of both organizations to accelerate growth in the country’s biofuels industry. As part of the agreement, IBA and IOCL will jointly establish a “Knowledge Centre” to support initiatives aligned with their shared goals. There will be sharing of technology, infrastructure and skilled human resources to drive innovation and implementation in the bioenergy segment.

Both IBA and IOCL will also engage with policymakers, industry leaders and think tanks to foster a supportive ecosystem for biofuels. A significant focus will be placed on training and capacity-building programmes to develop a skilled workforce for the sector.

The MoU signed further outlines plans to integrate ongoing research and development efforts, with particular emphasis on collaborations between industry and academic institutions to strengthen innovation in biofuels.

Gaurav Kedia, Chairman, IBA, stated, “At a policy level, IBA is already working with a number of ministries to create regulations that support the biogas, bio-CNG and renewable energy sectors. To catalyse biogas development, this partnership will facilitate collaboration between central and state ministries. IOCL and IBA will work to formulate and propose policy incentives for various categories of biofuels.”

Last year, IBA inked agreement with Hydrogen Association of India (HAI) to join forces to promote bio-based energy solutions, particularly focusing on green and blue hydrogen.

In the recently held RenewX-2025, IBA claimed that the biogas sector had secured investment commitments of more than Rs 200 crore.

The Indian Biogas Association, established in 2011 and restructured in 2015, is the country’s first nationwide professional body representing biogas plant operators, manufacturers, planners, and stakeholders from public policy, science, and research. It has been actively working in partnership with the German Biogas Association to accelerate the growth of the biogas sector in India and promote sustainable energy solutions.