In a written reply to Lok Sabha, the Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy has mentioned that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been supporting the installation of biogas plants in the country through the following schemes:
Small size biogas plants (1-25 m3 biogas per day) under New National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme (NNBOMP). Medium size biogas plants (30-2,500 m3 biogas per day) under the Biogas based Power Generation (Off-Grid) and Thermal Energy Applications Programme (BPGTP); and large size biogas plants (above 2,500 m3 biogas per day) biogas plants under Programme on Energy from Urban, Industrial, Agricultural Wastes/ Residues and Municipal Solid Waste (Waste to Energy Scheme). These regulations were in force until March 31, 2021. Beyond March 31, 2021, the MNRE’s Bio-energy Programme will be extended for the financial years 2021-22 to 2025-26 only to cover existing liabilities; no new projects will be approved.
The following was the central financial assistance (CFA) supplied under the aforementioned programmes at the time they were implemented: Under NNBOMP, Rs 7,500 to Rs 35,000 per plant based on plant size in cubic metres; under BPGTP, Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 per kW for power generation and Rs 12,500 to Rs 20,000 per kW equivalent for thermal applications; and under the Waste to Energy scheme, Rs 10 million for 12,000 m3 per day for biogas generation and Rs 40 million per 4,800 kg/day for bio-CNG generation.
In addition, the Indian government is promoting the production of compressed biogas (CBG) as an alternative green transport fuel under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme. In this scheme, Oil and Gas Marketing Companies are procuring the produced CBG.
