Bioenergy Expansion in India

Recent capacity addition

Bioenergy Expansion in India: India has added 2,362 MW of biomass power and 228 MW of waste-to-energy capacity over the last 10 years.
Alongside power generation, 2.88 lakh biogas plants have been installed across various regions of the country.
These additions reflect a steady push toward cleaner, decentralized energy sources.

The overall installed bioenergy capacity stands at 11.6 GW (November 2025).
This includes biomass power, bagasse cogeneration, waste-to-energy, and biogas-based systems.

What is bioenergy

Bioenergy is derived from organic material, known as biomass, such as wood, agricultural residues, dung, and organic waste.
Traditional use involved direct burning, while modern bioenergy relies on processed biomass and advanced conversion technologies.

Modern forms include biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel, and biomass pellets, which are cleaner and more efficient.
These technologies also help reduce open burning of crop residues and unmanaged waste disposal.

Static GK fact: Biomass is considered renewable because it is part of the short-term carbon cycle, unlike fossil fuels.

National Bioenergy Programme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) supports bioenergy projects under the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP).
Phase I of the programme covers the period 2021–22 to 2025–26 and was notified in 2022.

The core objective is to utilize surplus biomass, mainly from rural areas, for power generation.
This approach also aims to generate additional income for rural households and farmers.

Static GK Tip: Bioenergy programmes support both energy security and rural livelihood diversification.

Key sub-schemes under NBP

Waste to Energy Programme

This sub-scheme focuses on energy generation from urban, industrial, and agricultural waste.
It addresses waste management challenges while producing electricity and biogas.

Biomass Programme

This scheme promotes manufacturing of biomass briquettes and pellets.
It also supports biomass-based cogeneration in industries, excluding bagasse-based systems.

Biogas Programme

Biogas mainly consists of CH₄ and CO₂, with traces of N₂, H₂, H₂S, and O₂.
It is used for cooking, electricity generation, and as compressed biogas for transport.

Static GK fact: Methane has a higher calorific value than carbon dioxide, making biogas an efficient fuel.

Status of bioenergy in India

At present, modern bioenergy accounts for about 13% of India’s total final energy consumption.
This share is expected to grow by up to 45% between 2023 and 2030, driven by policy support and technology adoption.

Bioenergy plays a crucial role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
It also contributes to climate mitigation, waste management, and energy access.

Other supporting initiatives

The National Policy on Biofuels (2018, revised in 2022) sets blending targets such as 20% ethanol blending (E20) by 2025–26 and 5% biodiesel blending by 2030.
The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana provides financial support for advanced biofuel projects.

The SATAT initiative promotes compressed biogas as an alternative transport fuel.
The GOBAR-Dhan Scheme focuses on converting organic waste into biogas and organic manure.

Static GK Tip: Bioenergy aligns with India’s commitments under climate action and sustainable development goals.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Bioenergy Expansion in India: