New Delhi: The government is on course to achieve its target of blending 3% compressed biogas (CBG) with compressed natural gas (CNG) and domestic piped natural gas (PNG) during the current financial year, with blending levels already reaching nearly 2%, according to officials familiar with the development.
Officials said the increase has been supported by rising CBG availability and the addition of new production capacity, with more plants currently under construction expected to further accelerate progress, The Hindu reported.
India’s current combined consumption of natural gas for domestic PNG and transport-sector CNG stands at around 34–35 million metric standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD).
Officials said CBG sales reached approximately 0.66 MMSCMD in April and around 0.63 MMSCMD in May. At current consumption levels, this translates into blending close to 2%, nearly double the previous blending level and moving closer to the government’s 3% target.
Based on recommendations of the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC), India has adopted a phased CBG blending roadmap. The country targeted 1% blending in CNG and domestic PNG in FY 2025-26, followed by 3% in FY 2026-27, with targets rising to 4% and 5% in the following two financial years.
The expansion of production infrastructure is expected to support these goals. Data available on the Petroleum Ministry’s Gobardhan portal shows that construction is underway on 324 CBG and bio-CNG plants across the country, while another 1,261 projects are yet to begin construction.
Among states, Uttar Pradesh leads with 80 projects under construction, followed by Maharashtra with 46, Gujarat with 35 and Karnataka with 25. So far, 210 plants have been commissioned.
Suresh N.S., Senior Research Scientist in the Strategic Initiatives Group at Delhi-based think tank CSTEP, said recent geopolitical developments, including tensions in West Asia, have highlighted the need for India to strengthen domestic energy security and reduce reliance on imported fuels.
He said CBG blending targets should continue to increase gradually to lower imports, encourage productive use of waste, reduce methane emissions and limit crop residue burning.
Highlighting measures needed to support wider CBG adoption, he pointed to the importance of establishing a stronger feedstock assurance mechanism to secure reliable and sustainable raw material supply and introducing production-linked incentives to support plant operations and maintenance.
