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India's Green Energy Push: How 2,361 MW Biomass Power Was Added in a Decade

India has made substantial progress in bioenergy over the last ten years. The government added over 2,300 megawatts of biomass power capacity alongside thousands of biogas plants. This growth is driven by significant financial support through various national programmes. The focus is now expanding to include manufacturing biomass pellets to help curb stubble burning.

Key Points: India Adds 2,361 MW Biomass Capacity in 10 Years, Says Minister

  • India added significant clean energy capacity with 2,361 MW from biomass over the last decade
  • A Rs 998 crore National Bioenergy Programme supports project installation until 2025-26
  • New schemes now fund biomass pellet manufacturing to reduce stubble burning
  • Financial incentives target waste-to-energy and non-bagasse power generation projects
2 min read

India has added 2,361 MW biomass capacity in last 10 years: Minister

Minister Naik reveals India added 2,361 MW biomass power, 228 MWe waste-to-energy, and 2.88 lakh biogas plants in 10 years, backed by Rs 998 crore National Bioenergy Programme.

"The ministry supports installation of bioenergy projects in the country under the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP), Phase-I - Minister Shripad Yesso Naik"

New Delhi, Dec 17

India has added 2, 361 MW biomass capacity, 228 MWe waste-to-energy capacity, and 2.88 lakh biogas plants in the last 10 years, propelled by various incentives provided by the government in the push for green energy, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said that the ministry supports installation of bioenergy projects in the country under the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP), Phase-I, which was notified on November 2, 2022, with a budget outlay of Rs 998 crore, for the period 2022-23 to 2025-26.

During the last ten years, the government has been supporting bioenergy projects through various schemes, namely the National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) during the 12th Five-Year Plan and the New National Biogas & Organic Manure Programme (NNBOMP) from 2018-19 to 2020-21.

Besides, the scheme to support promotion of grid interactive biomass power and bagasse cogeneration in sugar mills during the 12th Plan Period, the Programme on Energy from Urban, Industrial and Agricultural Wastes/Residues during 12th Plan Period, the Scheme to support Promotion of Biomass based Cogeneration in Sugar Mills and other Industries in the Country were also launched from 2018-19 to 2020-21.

The programme, which earlier focused on cogeneration, is now also supporting the manufacturing of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation with financial incentives for enhancing production. The scheme supports the implementation of the National Mission on Co-firing of Biomass in Thermal Power Plants. This is also aimed at enabling a reduction in the practice of stubble burning, particularly in the northern states of the country.

Under the new guidelines of the programme for the period of 2021-22 to 2025-26, Central Financial Assistance is being made available to projects for the setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation and non-bagasse-based power generation projects.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The numbers sound good, but I'm curious about the actual utilization and efficiency. 2,361 MW over 10 years is progress, but we need to scale up much faster to meet our renewable targets. The budget allocation seems modest for a country of our size.
P
Priya S
Excellent! Biogas plants in rural areas can be a game-changer. My cousin's village in Maharashtra has a few and it helps with cooking fuel and organic manure. More awareness and simpler application process for subsidies is needed at the ground level.
R
Rohit P
Waste-to-energy is the need of the hour for our cities drowning in garbage. 228 MWe is a start, but we need this in every major city. Hope municipal corporations take this seriously and implement proper segregation first.
V
Vikram M
Good to see a focus on co-firing in thermal plants. This can help our existing infrastructure become greener. However, the success depends on consistent supply chains for biomass pellets. Farmers need to see it as a reliable income source, not just a waste disposal method.
K
Kavya N
While the intent is good, I hope the implementation is transparent and the funds reach the intended beneficiaries. Sometimes these schemes get lost in bureaucracy. Regular audits and public reporting of plant performance would build more trust.

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