Vijayawada civic authority will soon start four biogas plants

The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is undertaking the repair of four bio-gas energy plants located at different sites across the city to enhance environmental sustainability and increase power generation, thus reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, the Vijayawada city is revitalizing a sewage treatment plant (STP) with a capacity to treat 20 million litres per day of wastewater at Ramalingeswara Nagar.

Repair work is underway on four biogas energy plants within Vijayawada, including two at Ajith Singh Nagar, and one each at Jakkampudi and RL Nagar, with the goal of generating power to mitigate carbon emissions. The combined capacity of the two STPs in Ajith Singh Nagar is 60 MLD, while each of the other two plants has a capacity of 20 MLD.

According to reports, the Vijayawada project is scheduled to be completed by the end of February, with a deadline set for March 31, to address environmental concerns and promote sustainable development. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation aims to bring the city’s infrastructure in line with modern environmental standards.

The project incorporates advanced technology, such as the Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor (UASBR), known for its efficiency in wastewater treatment and biogas generation. Progress on the projects has advanced significantly as of the end of 2023, with the commissioning of 125 KVA biogas generators for power generation. Construction of essential infrastructure, including sump-cum-pump houses, gas balloon structures, and electro-mechanical equipment, is currently underway helping timely operationalization of biogas plants.

The Vijaywada STP and biogas project offers various benefits, including opportunities for carbon credits, improved sewage effluent quality, and power generation through bio-gas plants. It is being carried out with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and focuses on upgrading the RL Nagar STP to meet effluent parameters in accordance with the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) norms.

The sanctioned Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project amounts to Rs 14.93 crore, with UNIDO contributing $1.42 million and VMC allocating up to Rs 4.93 crore. The contract agreement was initiated on August 18, 2022, with a revised completion date set for March 31, 2024.