Lok Sabha Question No. 2074 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: National Bio-energy Programme
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Shri Tapir Gao, Shri Dileshwar Kamait, Shri Jagdambika Pal, Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Shri Dharambir Singh, Shri Shankar Lalwani, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Vijay Baghel, Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Shri Dilip Saikia, Shri Yogender Chandolia, Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Shri Khagen Murmu, Dr. Lata Wankhede, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Shri Manoj Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2074

## ANSWERED ON 12/03/2025

## NATIONAL BIO-ENERGY PROGRAMME

2074.   Shri Vijay Baghel,

Shri Manoj Tiwari,

Shri P P Chaudhary,

Smt. Kamlesh Jangde,

Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab,

Shri Yogender Chandolia,

Shri Dharambir Singh,

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur,

Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor,

Shri Dilip Saikia,

Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar,

Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri,

Shri Dileshwar Kamait,

Smt. Aparajita Sarangi,

Shri Shankar Lalwani,

Dr. Lata Wankhede,

Shri Khagen Murmu,

Shri Tapir Gao,

Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind,

Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal,

Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi and

Shri Jagdambika Pal.

## Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the measures being taken to align the National Bio-energy Programme with India's broader clean energy and sustainable development goals;
- (b) the steps being taken to ensure that the opening of previously restricted No-Go areas for oil and gas exploration does not adversely impact marine ecosystem, particularly in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea;
- (c) whether any environmental impact assessment has been conducted before opening No-Go areas for exploration and if so, the findings thereof along with the safeguards established for the purpose;
- (d) the manner in which the Ministry is planning to assess the long-term environmental impact of ethanol blending and the additional measures initiated to further reduce India's carbon footprint
- (e) whether any study has been conducted to evaluate the impact of ethanol blending on vehicle performance and emissions and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether any specific targets have been set for carbon footprint reduction through bioenergy initiatives and if so, the details thereof and the achievements made so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a)  Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India is implementing the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP) for supporting setting up of bioenergy projects in the country. India has a large surplus of biomass and other waste available in the country hence energy recovery from these resources is a good solution. Modern bioenergy is unique as it provides several social and environmental benefits apart from providing clean fuels. Therefore, NBP is aligned with India's broader clean energy and five Sustainable Development  Goals;  Good  Health  and  Wellbeing  (SDG-3);  Affordable  and  Clean  Energy  (SDG-7); Industry,  Innovation  and  Infrastructure  (SDG-9);  Sustainable  Cities  and  Communities  (SDG-11);  and Climate Action (SDG-13).

Following are the three sub components of NBP:

- i. Waste to Energy Programme (Programme on Energy from Urban, Industrial and Agricultural Wastes /Residues)
- ii. Biomass  Programme (Scheme  to  Support  Manufacturing  of  Briquettes  &  Pellets  and Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration in Industries)
- iii. Biogas Programme (Programme to support setting up of small (1 m 3 to 25 m 3 biogas per day) and medium size Biogas plants i.e., above 25 m 3 to 2500 m 3 biogas generation per day).

## The details of financial support are given at Annexure-I.

(b)&(c) As stated by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), the oil and gas blocks (including the blocks in previously restricted 'No-Go' areas) are awarded through an open and transparent bidding process. Environmental clearances, including coastal zone clearances for oil and gas exploration as per the laws for the time being in force are essential before commencement of the activities. This typically involves an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study after the award. The EIA process involves public hearing and ensures proper assessment of exploration activities on environment and only after obtaining necessary environmental clearances, with necessary safeguards measures for environmental protection and compliance, companies can commence exploration activities. Exploration and Production activities are undertaken in synergy with steps to enhance the livelihood of the people in the region as well as to ensure minimal impact on the environment.

(d) As stated by MoPNG, as per the 'Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25', a successful E20 (20% ethanol blending in petrol) has estimated  reduction of carbon monoxide emission of about 50% in two wheelers and 30% in four wheelers through using E20 compare to E0 (neat petrol). Hydrocarbon emissions are estimated to reduce by 20% in both two wheelers and passenger cars

(e) As stated by MoPNG, aaccording to the Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25, prepared by an inter-ministerial committee, using 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) results in marginal reduction in fuel  efficiency  for  four-wheelers  designed  for  E10  and  calibrated  for  E20.  The  Society  of  Indian Automobile  Manufacturers  (SIAM)  had  informed  the  committee  that  with  modifications  in  engine hardware and tuning, the efficiency loss due to blended fuel can be reduced. The Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25 has not identified any negative impact on engine health due to blending of ethanol in petrol up to E20.

(f) No. There is no specific target set for carbon footprint reduction through bioenergy initiatives. However, bioenergy projects with a cumulative capacity of 11.4 GW have been set up in the country. The component wise cumulative achievements are given as under:

| Name of the Scheme      | Cumulative Achievement as on 28.02.2025                                                                                  |
|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Waste to Energy Program | 711.29 MWeq                                                                                                              |
| Biomass Program         | 10743 MW(including Bagasse)                                                                                              |
| Biogas Program          | 51 Lakh small biogas plant (1-25 m 3 /day /day), 361 medium sized biogas Plants (above 25-2500 m 3 /day /day), 11.5 MWeq |

## REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2074, Part (a) TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025 on 'National Bio-energy Programme'.

## The existing CFA Support for setting up of Bioenergy Projects are given as under:

| Waste to Energy Programme                  | CFA in Rs Crore                                                                                                                                                                          |
|--------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Biogas generation                          | Rs 0.25 Crore per 12000cum/day                                                                                                                                                           |
| BioCNG generation                          | Rs 4.0 Crore per 4800 kg/day (for BioCNG generation from new biogas plant) Rs 3.0 Crore per 4800 kg/day (for BioCNG generation from existing Biogas plant)                               |
| Power generation based on Biogas           | Rs 0.75 Crore/MW (for power generation from new biogas plant) Rs 0.5 Crore/MW (for power generation from existing Biogas plant)                                                          |
| Power based on bio& agro- industrial waste | Rs 0.4 Crore/MW                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Biomass Gasifier                           | Rs. 2,500 per kWe with dual fuel engines for electrical application Rs. 15,000 per kWe with 100% gas engines for electrical application Rs. 2 lakh per 300 kWth for thermal applications |

| Biomass Programme                        | CFA                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Briquette manufacturing plants           | Rs. 9.00 Lakhs/ TPH (Maximum CFA- Rs. 45.00 Lakh per project).                                                                                                             |
| Non-Torrefied Pellet manufacturing plant | Rs. 21 lakhs/MTPH production capacity or 30% of the capital cost considered for plant and machinery of 1 TPH plant, whichever is lower (Maximum Rs. 105 lakhs per project) |
| Torrefied Pellet manufacturing plant     | Rs. 42 lakhs/MTPH production capacity or 30% of the capital cost considered for plant and machinery of 1 TPH plant, whichever is lower (Maximum Rs. 210 lakhs per project) |
| Non-Bagasse Cogeneration Projects        | Rs. 40 Lakhs/ Megawatt Maximum CFA- Rs. 5.00 Crore per project).                                                                                                           |

| Biogas Programme                                                                         | CFA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| For small biogas plants (1-25 cubic meter/day plant capacity):                           | Rs. 9,800/- to Rs. 70,400/- per plant based on size of the plant in cubic meter                                                                                                                                                                     |
| For Power generation and thermal application (25 - 2500 cubic meter/day plant capacity): | Rs. 35,000/- to Rs. 45,000/- per kilowatt for power generation Rs. 17,500/- to Rs. 22,500/- per kilowatt equivalent for thermal applications. Note: 20% higher than Standard CFA in for NER, Island, Registered Gaushalas and SC/ST beneficiaries); |