• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued revised guidelines for the biomass programme to promote cleaner energy solutions, ease of doing business, and accelerate the adoption of biomass technologies across India.

• The norms are revised under phase-I of National Bioenergy Programme, applicable for the period FY 2021-22 to 2025-26.

• These amendments aim to promote cleaner energy solutions, ease of doing business, and accelerate the adoption of biomass technologies across the country.

• Under the new framework, the ministry has simplified several processes, such as cutting down on paperwork and easing approval requirements, which will enable the industry, especially MSMEs to enhance their production.

• These changes align with improvement of stubble management and India’s broader goal of reaching Net Zero emissions by 2070.

• These revisions will not only support the smooth implementation of the biomass programme and timely delivery of approved financial support to commissioned plants, but also encourage the sector to establish more biomass-based plants. 

• This would ultimately help in addressing the menace of crop residue burning and ensure sustainable management of agricultural waste.

• Overall, the updated guidelines will make it easier for businesses to adopt biomass technologies, provide financial incentives for efficient operations, and support India's clean energy efforts, all while promoting practical, business-friendly solutions to waste management and pollution reduction.

National Bioenergy Programme

• Biomass is available in the form of forestry waste, residue from agricultural operation, processed waste from industry, municipal/urban solid waste. 

• Annual biomass production in the Country is around 750 MMT, out of which 228 MMT is surplus biomass. 

• Biomass can be utilised in various forms like production of heat and energy, briquettes/pellets, etc.

• India has embarked upon an ambitious energy transition journey with a target of 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2070.

• To attain the ambitious renewable energy targets and to achieve self-reliance in the energy sector it is imperative that domestically available renewable energy alternatives are optimally utilised. 

• One such alternative is modern bioenergy. With a large surplus of biomass and other waste available in the country, energy recovery from these resources is a viable solution. 

• Modern bioenergy is unique as it provides several social and environmental benefits apart from providing clean fuels. 

• For example, bioenergy applications can help mitigate air, water, and land pollution. It can also create local jobs, and business opportunities, and reduce energy import bills.

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) notified the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP) on November 2, 2022. 

• MNRE has continued the National Bioenergy Programme for the period from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26. 

• The Programme has been recommended for implementation in two phases. 

• The phase-I of the programme has been approved with a budget outlay of Rs 858 crore.

• NBP aims to promote the use of bioenergy and waste-to-energy technologies to support clean energy solutions to enhance energy security and support sustainable development in India.

• 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. This aims to support the setting up of waste to energy projects for generation of biogas/ BioCNG/ power/ producer or syngas 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. This aims to support setting up of biomass briquette/pellet manufacturing plants and to support biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration projects in industries in the country. The broader objectives of the scheme are to reduce stubble burning by utilising surplus agricultural residue, to provide additional source of income to farmers through sale of surplus agro residue and to enable better environmental practices and reduce pollution.

iii) Biogas Programme: Programme to support setting up of small (1m³ to 25m³ biogas per day) and medium size Biogas plants (above 25m³ to 2,500m³ biogas generation per day). This aims to support setting up of biogas plants for clean cooking fuel, lighting, meeting thermal and small power needs of users. Fermented organic manure produced from the digested slurry from biogas plants, benefits farmers in supplementing/reducing of the use of chemical fertilizers.

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