India accelerates biogas ambitions with major investment
India’s biogas sector is gaining significant momentum as Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) announces this week a substantial ₹20 billion ($231 million) investment to develop 24 compressed biogas (CBG, also known as biomethane or renewable natural gas) plants over the next two to three years. This move underscores India’s intensifying commitment to decarbonising its energy mix and expanding the role of bioenergy in transport and industry.
Each of the planned HPCL plants is expected to generate between 10 and 15 metric tonnes of CBG per day, drawing from abundant organic feedstocks such as agricultural residue, cattle dung, and sewage water. This scale of development reflects a broader national push under the National Bioenergy Programme, which aims to strengthen India’s renewable energy infrastructure through support for small- and medium-scale biogas facilities.
Private sector engagement deepens
The HPCL announcement follows similar moves from other public-sector energy giants. Notably, prior to this, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) recently committed ₹1 billion ($11.6 million) to develop a 5–10 mt/day CBG plant in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh set to process 150 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily. These announcements signal a broader trend: India’s state-backed oil companies are now playing a central role in building bioenergy infrastructure, complementing private and decentralised efforts.
India’s biogas expansion: Implications for the global biogas sector
India’s investment and policy planning offer a blueprint for emerging economies seeking to scale sustainable energy solutions. The country’s vast agricultural sector provides ample feedstock for anaerobic digestion, while growing urbanisation increases access to organic municipal waste streams. With clear regulatory direction and market creation mechanisms, India is transforming biogas from a rural energy solution into a key component of its national energy strategy.
For the global biogas industry and international investors, India’s trajectory opens opportunities in technology transfer, project finance, and international collaboration. Companies providing anaerobic digestion technologies, CBG upgrading systems, and logistics infrastructure are likely to find a receptive and rapidly growing market.
Moreover, as India pursues its transition to a cleaner, more self-sufficient energy system, biogas is set to play a pivotal role – offering both environmental benefits and economic opportunities. The sector now awaits how effectively these projects can be deployed and integrated into India’s broader energy framework.