Addressing Stubble Burning and Air Pollution in Delhi NCR: UP to Establish 100 Compressed Biogas Plants Soon

2024-10-22 02:04:03

The upcoming Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants, described as an 'eco-friendly solution' to the serious issue of stubble burning, will convert agricultural waste into biogas, thereby reducing the need for stubble burning and improving air quality.

Uttar Pradesh (UP) aims to shed its reputation as a contributor to high pollution levels in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), often linked to widespread stubble burning. The state plans to set up 100 CBG plants, which it believes will address the stubble burning problem, a significant cause of air pollution in both UP and Delhi NCR.

These CBG plants will transform agricultural waste into biogas, helping to eliminate the need for stubble burning while enhancing air quality. UP government officials emphasized that this move targets the root cause of stubble burning, a persistent problem until now. "Stubble burning has long contributed to worsening air quality in UP and Delhi NCR. Establishing these CBG plants will not only reduce pollution but also provide farmers with an additional source of income," a government spokesperson said in a recent press release.

What is a Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant?

A CBG plant processes waste materials like agricultural residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste (MSW), and sewage treatment plant waste into biogas through anaerobic decomposition. This biogas is purified to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water vapor, then compressed into CBG, which contains over 90% methane (CH4). With high calorific value, CBG shares properties with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), making it a renewable and eco-friendly alternative for vehicles, industries, and commercial use.

Officials highlighted that large-scale biomass conversion into CBG offers several benefits, such as reducing the demand for natural gas and crude oil imports, lowering emissions, and utilizing agricultural waste, including stubble.

UP’s Bio-Energy Policy 2022

UP’s Bio-Energy Policy 2022 is a five-year plan designed to promote bioenergy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, support agricultural mechanization, and boost the bio-economy. With Rs 750 crore allocated for CBG projects (2022–27), the policy offers subsidies, land, and other incentives. The state has the capacity to support 1,000 CBG projects.

Progress: 24 CBG Units in the Pipeline

Under the Bio-Energy Policy 2022, UP is working on establishing 100 CBG plants, particularly in western UP, to address stubble burning. These plants will allow farmers to sell stubble and agricultural waste, turning it into a valuable income stream. Each CBG plant can process 200 metric tonnes of straw, 20 metric tonnes of press mud, and 10 metric tonnes of cattle dung daily, producing 20 metric tonnes of biogas and 125 metric tonnes of organic manure, which improves soil productivity. So far, 21 out of 26 proposed projects have received in-principle approval, showing strong investor interest.

The state plans to operationalize 20 projects by 2025, with a goal to double bio-coal and biodiesel production, contributing to sustainable energy efforts, the government spokesperson noted. 

UP has become a leader in CBG production, using stubble to generate fuel. As of last year, 10 CBG plants were already operational, placing UP at the top nationwide in CBG production. Currently, 24 units are under construction, with 93 additional units planned.

On March 8, 2023, Indian Oil inaugurated its CBG plant in Dhuriapar, Gorakhpur, in the presence of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Built at a cost of Rs 165 crore, the plant marks a significant step toward environmental protection, energy independence, and boosting farmers' incomes.