India eyes wider bioenergy push with 5,000 CBG plants, indigenous tech and new feedstock
New Delhi, August 13
India's bioenergy sector is set for wider expansion, with the government targeting 5,000 compressed biogas plants by 2030, while domestic technology and new agricultural feedstock are being developed to improve production and reduce dependence on imported energy, industry and government representatives said.
Speaking to ANI, Atul Mohod, Director General of the Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), said 132 CBG plants are currently operational with central financial assistance, while around 240 are under construction. The government has set a target of 5,000 CBG plants by 2030, he said.
"Around 5,000 CBG plants in the country are the target of the Government of India," Mohod said, adding that the expansion is linked to the broader goals of a developed India by 2047 and net zero emissions by 2070.
Mohod said wider CBG production could eventually help lower costs as technology improves, while reducing pollution, carbon dioxide emissions and dependence on crude oil and gas.The expansion is also creating demand for domestic technology to improve the performance of bioenergy plants.
Nitin Gupta, Global CEO and Executive Director of STEER World, said the company had set up nearly 130 projects across India over the past 18 months using technology to pre-treat biomass and improve the digestion and methanation process.
He said indigenous technology could help reduce dependence on imported systems and strengthen India's energy independence.
"India is very strong in its fundamentals in engineering and technology; we should really make sure that we are able to communicate this in a much simpler manner," Gupta said, referring to the need to make technology adoption easier and address misinformation.
Gupta also said greater energy independence would reduce India's exposure to geopolitical pressures and called for keeping dependence on imported energy low.
Meanwhile, A V Umakanth, Principal Scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, said sweet sorghum could provide another feedstock option for India's bioenergy sector. Its juice can be used to produce ethanol or CBG, while the bagasse left after extracting the juice can also be used for CBG production.
The speakers also highlighted the wider potential of biomass, with Mohod saying biomass could be processed into biogas, CBG and other value-added products.
Gupta said India, which has limited domestic hydrocarbon resources, should make greater use of its agricultural resources to build energy independence through biofuels and other forms of bioenergy.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see India's push for bioenergy. Sweet sorghum as a feedstock sounds promising - farmers can grow it and get extra income while helping the environment. Hope the government provides proper support and subsidies to the farmers for this.
Only 132 operational so far and we are targeting 5000 by 2030? That's a huge gap. Good intent but execution needs to be faster. We need more clarity on land allocation, waste collection infrastructure, and better incentives for private players.
As someone working in rural development, I see the potential here. Bioenergy plants can create local jobs and help deal with crop stubble burning issue in Punjab/Haryana. But the technology needs to be affordable for smaller operators. Let's hope this actually benefits our villages and not just big corporates.
Very smart move geopolitically and environmentally. India has vast agricultural resources that are being underutilized. The focus on indigenous tech means we won't be held hostage by foreign vendors for spare parts and upgrades. Self-reliance in energy and tech is the way forward.
Good to see focus on sweet sorghum as it grows well in dry regions. But let's not repeat the same mistake we did with ethanol - where we diverted sugarcane for fuel and impacted sugar prices. Need proper planning so food security isn't compromised while pursuing energy goals.
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