India imports 50% of its natural gas requirement, says Puri
The Government plans to set up 5,000 CBG plants by 2024-25 as it develops gas-based economy with 15% gas share in the energy mix by 2030.
“Speedy expansion of Compressed Biogas (CBG) will help in meeting our additional requirement from domestic resources,” Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has told industry stakeholders of challenges in managing national energy requirement, 50% of which is now imported as natural gas.
Addressing the Global Conference on Compressed Biogas (CBG) in New Delhi on 17 Apr 2023, he shared India’s ambitious target to set up 5,000 commercial plants by 2024-25 and produce 15 MMT of CBG which would replace other gaseous fuels being used in the country.
The Minister said that the CBG production would have multiple benefits viz. reduction of natural gas imports, reduction of GHG emission, reduction in burning of agriculture residues, providing remunerative income to farmers, employment generation, effective waste management.
Puri especially mentioned about the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Scheme and the use of agro-waste to generate compressed biogas.
He mentioned that India had commissioned 46 compressed biogas plants under SATAT Scheme and there were 100 outlets currently dispensing the compressed biogas across the country.
Puri highlighted the need for domestic production biofuels and said it will play a pivotal role in achieving reduction in import of fossil fuel and ultimately help to achieve the target of net zero emission.
The Government policies have enabled adoption of green renewable energy in the last 10 years.
He said, “Under SATAT initiative various waste streams such as animal dung, agricultural residues, MSW (Municipal Solid Waste), sewage water and industrial wastes such as press mud, spent wash from sugar industry, food processing industry etc. is being looked into as feedstock for production of Biogas/CBG.”
The conference was organized by the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE). Fiinews.com
