New Delhi: India could produce around 62 million metric tonnes (MMT) of compressed biogas (CBG) annually from an estimated 472 MMT of feedstock, with animal waste offering the largest potential among available feedstocks, according to a report by Equirus, ANI reported.
The report estimates that India’s annual feedstock base of 472 MMT could translate into about 62 MMT of CBG production potential.
Animal waste accounts for the largest share of this opportunity. Around 190 MMT of animal waste could generate nearly 25 MMT of CBG, representing about 41% of the country’s total CBG potential. However, only around 15% of total dung is currently collectable, while developing sufficiently dense rural clusters would be essential to realise the potential, the report said.
Agricultural residues, including paddy and wheat straw and sugarcane trash, represent another major feedstock source. Around 150 MMT of such residues could produce nearly 20 MMT of CBG. However, collection and aggregation remain significant challenges because the harvesting window is limited to around 45 days.
The report estimated that approximately 62 MMT of municipal solid waste could generate around 5 MMT of CBG. However, only 50-55% of urban wet and food waste is biodegradable.
Biomass from sewage treatment plants offers a further opportunity. Around 50 MMT of such feedstock could potentially produce nearly 10 MMT of CBG, according to Equirus.
The report also highlighted press mud from sugar mills as an attractive feedstock for CBG production. Around 20 MMT of press mud could generate approximately 2 MMT of CBG. The feedstock offers favourable economics because it can be sourced from a single point and does not require pre-treatment, ANI stated.
Beyond its energy potential, CBG production could help address several environmental challenges, including crop-residue burning, municipal waste accumulation, soil nutrient depletion and dependence on imported gas, the report said.
India burns around 87 MMT of crop residue annually. Diverting this material towards CBG production could remove straw from fields and avoid an estimated 0.8-1.2 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne of residue diverted, according to Equirus.
CBG could also support improvements in municipal waste management. Of the approximately 1.70 lakh tonnes per day (TPD) of municipal solid waste generated, only around 0.92 lakh TPD is currently treated. Anaerobic digestion for CBG production can also capture methane that would otherwise be released from around 2,400 dumpsites.
Another benefit is the production of fermented organic manure (FOM) as a by-product of CBG plants. The manure can return carbon and nutrients to agricultural soils and help address nutrient losses.
The report cited the example of Verbio Sangrur, which produces around 33 tonnes of CBG and 600 tonnes of FOM per day, demonstrating the potential for integrating renewable gas production with organic manure generation.
Domestic biogas production could further help reduce India’s dependence on imported natural gas. According to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the country’s estimated 472 MMT feedstock base could support around 230 MMSCMD of biogas.
The findings underline the scale of India’s CBG opportunity, while also highlighting the need to address feedstock collection, aggregation and supply-chain challenges to unlock the sector’s full potential.
