Chennai: A new facility that converts leftover food into a clean-burning fuel for vehicles has begun operations in Chennai. The project, developed by the UK-based company Clarke Energy, is the first of its kind to be fully designed and built in India by the company, reports The Wire.
The plant is located at a waste processing site in Chetpet, run by Srinivas Waste Management Services (SWMS). It takes in biodegradable food waste from the surrounding region, which is then broken down to produce biogas. This gas is further refined into a high-purity fuel called biomethane.
This effort supports a major national program, the SATAT initiative, which aims to create 5,000 plants across India that produce clean fuel from organic waste for the transportation sector.
A company official highlighted the significance of the local effort. “This project is a landmark for our team in India,” said Kyle Quinn, a leader at Clarke Energy. “It shows how we are using both global experience and local skills to build advanced energy solutions that support India’s environmental goals.”
The new system replaces older technology with a more advanced filtering method. Initial results confirm the plant is working effectively, producing a very pure fuel while minimizing waste. Key equipment was made locally, which helped get the project up and running quickly.
Clarke Energy, which has been operating in India for 30 years, is part of the Rehlko group. The parent company focuses on building sustainable infrastructure projects like this one, which turn waste into valuable resources and support local communities.
