Navigating Upstream Challenges in Bioenergy Sector

Bharat is at the cusp of a Green Energy Revolution’; and Bioenergy, including Biofuels, is a vital Energy Engine’ to contribute towards the Net Zero 2070 commitment made by India during COP26. Surely, we will get there with collective efforts and partnerships, as we move into COP29 at Azerbaijan this year and beyond and one is sanguine that Bharat will not only lead the 2nd Industrial Revolution but also initiate and lead the Green Energy Revolution’.

- COLONEL ROHIT DEV

Bharat has embarked on an ambitious mission of Net Zero 2070 through 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in an era of Viksit Bharat'. While it has curated many 'Pathways of Renewable Energy', leading the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance, it faces its own set of challenges in affordable, sustainable energy, finance, skilling, and technology. The National Biomass Mission has been one such endeavour fraught with challenges, mostly in the 'Upstream Segment' and as a fallout, the Second Generation. Ethanol (E2G), Compressed Biogas (CBG) and other forays including Boiler Applications of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) etc have been gradual, slow or sluggish in differing scenarios.

The CBG initiative was given impetus by the Government of India through the Sustainable Alternatives to Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Scheme launched in 2015, aiming to support entrepreneurs to set up CBG plants and produce and supply CBG to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for sale as automotive and industrial fuels. However, the progress has been slow due to challenges in the Upstream Segment, including Biomass Supply Chain Management, which accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the project cost.