Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Haryana Government to set up bio-CNG plants based on paddy straw and other agri-waste in the state. The first such compressed biogas plant (CBP) is likely to be set up in Kurukshetra.
The MoU will open opportunities for setting up of 200 CBPs in the state by 2023, with total capacity of about 1,000 tonnes per day of compressed biogas. This will result in annual production of about four lakh tonnes of compressed biogas per annum, an official statement said.
The Haryana government intends to promote agriculture waste based biomass or waste to compressed biogas or Bio CNG plants in the state to tackle the issue of crop residue burning and scientific disposal of agriculture waste. This will not only increase farmers’ income by sale of crop residue but also create rural employment opportunities.
The compressed biogas is similar to the commercially available CNG in its composition and energy potential and hence it could be utilised as a green automotive fuel. A 100 tonnes per day agro residue feed stock capacity biogas plant could produce about 10 TPD compressed biogas and 30 TPD dry manure.
The cost of such a plant is about Rs 35 crore and requires six to ten acres of land.
Reference- ET, Business World