Byline: Rajaram Prajapati, CTO and Director of CEID Consultants & Engineering 

Biogas is rapidly emerging as a key component of the global clean energy strategy. With rising energy demands, climate goals, and waste management challenges, countries around the world are increasingly recognizing the dual value of biogas as a renewable energy source and a circular solution to organic waste. Derived from biodegradable materials like agricultural residue, animal waste, and municipal solid waste, biogas and its upgraded form, compressed biomethane, or CBG, are being mainstreamed into power, transport, and gas grid systems worldwide.

Global Shifts Toward Biogas Integration

Across the world, countries are waking up to biogas’s potential. Countries like Germany, Sweden, and the United States have established mature biogas ecosystems through decades of consistent policy, infrastructure development, and strong public-private collaboration. Germany has deeply integrated biogas into its national grid and rural economy, while Sweden has successfully transitioned a large portion of its public transport fleet to run on bio-CNG. In the United States, supportive regulations and renewable energy credits have made renewable natural gas a viable option for transport and industrial applications. These nations exemplify how long-term vision, stable market mechanisms, and investment in technology can drive sustainable growth in the biogas sector. Drawing inspiration from such global success stories, Indian companies like CEID Consultants are working to replicate and innovate on these models domestically, bringing advanced technologies and scalable biogas solutions to the forefront of India’s energy transition.

India’s Opportunity and Roadmap

India, with its vast agricultural base and growing urban population, holds one of the largest untapped potentials for biogas. Through initiatives like SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation), the government has laid the foundation for a biogas-driven transformation, targeting thousands of compressed biogas (CBG) plants in the coming years. With over 2,200 CBG plants already approved and more in the pipeline, the country is building momentum. To reach the scale of global leaders, India must now focus on enabling long-term procurement models, improving feedstock logistics, and ensuring steady policy support. If implemented effectively, these measures could help India not only catch up but also set new benchmarks in decentralized, inclusive biogas development.

However, for biogas to become a major pillar in India’s clean energy transition, a few important things need to be put in place:

● Infrastructure Development Many projects struggle due to gaps in supply chains, bottling infrastructure, or pipeline

access. Developing biogas clusters near farmlands and dairy belts can reduce costs and boost local participation.

● Consistent Feedstock Supply A major challenge for biogas plants is securing regular access to organic material. Strengthening waste collection systems, partnering with farmers, and encouraging source-level segregation of urban waste can help ensure feedstock availability.

● Stable Procurement Policies Long-term fuel purchase agreements, transparent pricing, and timely payments are essential to build investor confidence and make projects financially viable. From land acquisition to environmental approvals, smoother processes can accelerate the setting up of new plants. A single-window clearance mechanism would go a long way in reducing delays.

● Community and Rural Empowerment Biogas projects have the potential to create rural employment, provide clean cooking alternatives, and support sustainable farming through organic fertilizers. Involving local communities in project development can amplify these benefits.

● Capacity Building As the sector grows, there will be a need for trained technicians, plant operators, and maintenance staff. Skill development programs and technical standards will be crucial for long-term success.

India’s progress so far shows that the vision is in place, but to truly unlock the sector’s potential, execution must accelerate. With the right support, biogas can become an important pillar of India’s renewable energy mix, reducing oil imports, supporting farmers, and helping to meet climate targets.

Countries that prioritize infrastructure, streamline regulations, and build public-private partnerships are likely to emerge as leaders in this space. India, with its scale, policy intent, and resource availability, has every ingredient to be among them. Biogas offers more than clean fuel, as it offers a cleaner future. Turning waste into a powerful energy resource brings together environmental responsibility, economic opportunity, and energy security.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.