Kochi’s Brahmapuram CBG plant to be operationalised in April

The compressed biogas (CBG) plant at Brahmapuram will be operational soon as the construction of the plant is expected to be completed by March end. The trial run of the CBG project will begin in the first week of April.

The CBG plant, being built by BPCL Kochi Refinery, would get waste from the Kochi corporation area and also the nearby local bodies like Thrikkakara, Kalamassery and Eloor. The plant will have a capacity to treat 150 tonnes of biodegradable waste a day which could be enhanced to 300 tonnes per day.

As per reports, this is the first time in Kerala that such a major decentralized plant with effective technology is being commissioned.

BPCL is constructing the plant on behalf of the city corporation which has handed more than 10 acres on the solid waste treatment plant premises at Brahmapuram to the PSU for setting up the CBG plant. Also, the sales of compressed biogas generated from the plant will be managed by BPCL Kochi Refinery.

At the same time, one of the major problems during trial run of the plant will be availability of water. Around 100 million litres per day (mld) of water will have to be provided to BPCL for the trial run. Corporation has suggested that BPC draw water from Kadambrayar, which passes by the solid waste treatment plant premises. However, shortage of water in Kadambrayar is an issue.

BPCL approached corporation authorities for setting up a CBG plant at Brahmapuram in 2020. Following a major fire outbreak on an existing solid waste treatment plant premises in March 2023, the corporation and state government allowed the setting up of the plant.

The BPCL is also in contact with the local bodies to start similar CBG projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode too.