WBA collaborates with NDDB for biogas revolution in India

The World Biogas Association (WBA) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the India Congress 2025. The partnership aims to strengthen India’s biogas ecosystem by integrating international best practices with NDDB’s extensive dairy network. Together, the organisations will work to scale up sustainable CBG production and accelerate waste-to-wealth initiatives across the country.

The important event brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders and global experts to highlight India’s growing leadership in climate action and clean-energy transition.

During his address, Petroleum Minister  Hardeep Singh Puri praised WBA efforts since its first India Congress in 2023 in bringing together government, industry and investors to shape India’s biogas future. He noted that the country generates 1,16,000 metric tonnes of waste daily. “As a natural gas importer, India must look at CBG as a pathway to energy security and sustainability,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, highlighted that more than half of India’s electricity now comes from non-fossil sources. He said recent policies have boosted growth in biogas and CBG, and that the International Energy Agency is collaborating with the ministry to develop a bioenergy market outlook to guide national decisions through 2030.

Puri added that WBA is playing an important role in advancing India’s goal of establishing 5,000 CBG plants.

Expanding on policy concerns, Tarun Kapoor, Advisor to the Prime Minister, said India must reassess its biofuel strategy, especially as ethanol production has exceeded current blending requirements. He noted that excessive incentives may have contributed to oversupply, despite significant private sector investments.

Speaking on the challenges of expanding biogas infrastructure, NDDB Chairperson and MD Meenesh Shah said that although the organisation offers long-term price assurance, market price fluctuations require a fair mechanism to protect vendors from losses.

The two-day event, hosted by the London-based WBA at the India Habitat Centre, featured participation from Union ministers, former NITI Aayog officials, global organisations including the World Bank and IEA etc.