Speaking at the Global Conference on Compressed Biogas (CBG) in the Capital, Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted the need for developing alternative fuels indigenously
Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, emphasised the importance of domestic biofuel generation and claimed that doing so will be essential to reducing fossil fuel imports and ultimately assisting in the achievement of the goal of net zero emissions. He was speaking at the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE)-organised Global Conference on Compressed Biogas (CBG) in New Delhi today.
Highlighting the need for alternative fuels, Puri said, “Considering the limited domestic availability of fossil fuels and import dependence for this, the energy security of the country will remain vulnerable until alternative fuels to substitute/supplement fossil fuels are developed based on indigenously sustainable renewable feedstock”.
The Minister stated that the production of CBG would have a number of advantages, including a decrease in the importation of natural gas, a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, a decrease in the burning of agricultural waste, the provision of a livable income to farmers, the creation of jobs, efficient waste management, etc. The Minister also stated that the Government of India has set a target to increase the share of gas in the energy mix up to 15% in 2030 to transform India into a gas-based. Currently, we import almost half the natural gas we need. A quick CBG growth will help us find domestic resources to satisfy our expanded needs.
In the last 10 years, government policies have made it possible for renewable green energy to be adopted. Puri specifically brought up the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Scheme and the production of compressed biogas using agro-waste. He remarked, “Under the 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 the sugar industry, food processing industry, etc. are being looked at as feedstock for the production of Biogas/CBG.”
The Minister also discussed India's ambitious aim to build 5,000 commercial units and create 15 MMT of CBG by 2024–2025, which would replace other gaseous fuels now used in the nation. He added that 100 outlets were currently dispensing compressed biogas around the nation, and that India had put into operation 46 compressed biogas facilities under the SATAT Scheme.
Speaking about the ecosystem, the minister stressed that the current administration has been steadfast in working to create one that will support sustainability for all parties involved in the Triple Bottom Line (environment, society, and economy). In order to encourage the use of green energy in whatever form, he describes how the government has adopted legislation, created schemes that offer help through Central Financial Assistance, etc. He also noted that the Government is working with other departments and ministries to further streamline the rules so that projects can be adopted and implemented more quickly. Puri noted the Central Pollution Control Board, which placed facilities under the "white category" designation on a case-by-case basis, and the Department of Fertilisers, which sent letters to fertiliser firms requiring the mandatory offtake of FOM with chemical fertilisers as a "Basket approach."
The Minister emphasised the need for producing renewable, sustainable, and domestic energy sources that can temporarily replace other conventional energy sources and eventually replace them as the main source of energy while also highlighting the significance of green and clean energy. The Hon'ble Minister also discussed how Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), a byproduct of the CBG manufacturing process, may be used in the agricultural industry to promote organic farming and reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers.
Speaking of project financing, he said that the Amrit Kaal Budget 2023 significantly advances India's bio-gas and clean energy revolutions: With special attention paid to CBG projects and announced establishment of 200 CBG projects under the GOBARdhan scheme; a 5% CBG mandate will be implemented for all businesses that market natural and biogas; To prevent cascading taxes on blended compressed natural gas, excise duty on the aforementioned product will be eliminated.
Minister underscored the importance of the government's inclusive growth strategy, saying that agriculture and farmers are essential components of it and will gain directly from increased use of renewable energy, particularly compressed biogas, which is widely available in rural India. He commended the organisers for moving to further promote compressed biogas, which will be crucial in expanding the nation's energy supply and enhancing India's energy security in the long run. He also expressed appreciation for the various States and their role in promoting the adoption of green energy, particularly compressed biogas.