Uttar Pradesh’s compressed bio-gas (CBG) sector has attracted around Rs 3,500 crore in investment and created about 25,000 jobs, with the state expecting another 70-80 plants to come up, Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said on Wednesday, ANI reported.
Around 20 CBG plants are currently operational in the state, while 70-80 more are expected to be established, Shahi said on the sidelines of the India Bioenergy and Tech Expo and the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition on Bioenergy and Technologies.
He said the expansion of the CBG sector could help increase farmers’ incomes by creating demand for agricultural feedstock. Bio-fertilisers produced as a by-product of CBG plants could also help improve soil health and support agricultural productivity, he added.
“Development of bioenergy is an important step towards increasing farmers’ income,” Shahi said.
The minister said Uttar Pradesh had made significant progress in renewable energy, with more than 5,000 MW of electricity generated through solar and other sources in recent years. The state is also among the country’s leading producers of ethanol and CBG, he said.
Shahi acknowledged that the availability of feedstock remained a challenge for the CBG industry and said a stronger collection system would be needed. While the government had taken steps in Uttar Pradesh, he said industry players would also have to work with farmers to ensure regular supplies.
“In some places, the industry will also have to pay appropriate prices to farmers for the feedstock,” he said.
The minister said several memoranda of understanding were signed during the event, involving proposed investments of around Rs 5,000 crore.
Shahi said the bioenergy sector had considerable scope for further expansion in Uttar Pradesh, particularly because of its links with agriculture, rural incomes and the energy sector.
On the monsoon, Shahi said Uttar Pradesh had received around 20% less rainfall than normal so far. While there had been no major crop losses, he said continued rainfall deficiency could create difficulties in some areas.
“Monsoon is weak. Uttar Pradesh has received around 20% less rainfall. There has been no loss so far, but difficulties may arise in some places in the future,” he said.
