The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), in a recent office memorandum, has allotted physical targets to the biogas program implementing agencies (PIAs) for establishing small biogas projects under the Biogas Program Phase II for the fiscal year 2023-24.

The year’s target is 15,205 biogas plants, with an additional 1,165 sanitary toilets linked to biogas plants.

The Ministry has also set targets for 14 new implementing agencies to conduct four training courses during the fiscal year.

The table below provides the annual targets for installing biogas projects and the training programs as allotted to the implementing agencies:

The primary objective of the Biogas program is to establish biogas plants that provide clean cooking fuel, lighting, and meet users’ thermal and small power requirements, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved sanitation, empowerment of women, and the creation of rural employment.

Additionally, it is expected to produce organic-enriched bio-manure by utilizing the digested slurry from biogas plants. This bio-manure, a valuable source of nutrients, will help farmers reduce their reliance on chemical fertilizers.

The program is part of the National Bioenergy Program, valid from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.

The program has been recommended for implementation in two phases. A budget outlay of ₹8.58 billion (~$104.66 million) has been approved for Phase-I.

Out of the total budget, ₹6 billion (~$73.18 million) has been approved for the waste-to-energy program, ₹1.58 billion (~$19.27 million) for the biomass program, and 1 billion (~$12.19 million) for the biogas program.

All designated PIAs are urged to promptly take necessary measures to ensure the completion of the assigned objectives with high-quality construction, appropriate commissioning, and effective operation of biogas plants while adhering to all program regulations and standards.

Amul Dairy, Anand, and NDDB Mrida are advised to collaborate and coordinate with the assigned biogas state PIA, districts, and development blocks in their respective states/union territories.

The Union government, earlier this month, launched the unified registration portal for GOBARdhan, intending to streamline the process of setting up compressed biogas CBG/Biogas plants in India. The portal will act as a one-stop repository for assessing investment and participation in the sector nationwide.