"BPCL Plans Two Compressed Biogas Plants in Raipur and Bhilai"

State-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) inked a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday with the Chhattisgarh Biofuel Development Authority (CBDA) and the municipal corporations of Raipur and Bhilai to spearhead the production of compressed biogas (CBG).

BPCL is slated to establish CBG plants in Raipur, the state capital, and Bhilai, an industrial hub, utilizing approximately 200 to 250 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste daily for biofuel production.

Investing Rs 100 crore in the two plants, BPCL aims to achieve a total capacity of 100-150 tonnes per day (TPT) for each facility. The construction of these plants is anticipated to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities equivalent to about 60,000 man-days per year within the state.

Upon reaching full production capacity across all CBG plants, the state stands to gain GST revenue of Rs 20 lakh annually. Moreover, the plants will produce organic fertilizer as a co-product, incentivizing organic farming practices.

The establishment of CBG plants aligns with the objectives of the Chhattisgarh Green War Room, an initiative aimed at combating air pollution in the region.

CBDA has been actively promoting the production of biofuel from municipal solid waste, recognizing its significant potential in addressing environmental concerns.

BPCL's broader strategy includes rolling out 5,000 CBG plants across India in phases by 2023-24, with an anticipated annual CBG production of 15 million tonnes. These plants are poised to facilitate the availability of affordable transport fuels while effectively utilizing agricultural residue, cattle dung, and municipal solid waste, thereby providing an additional revenue stream for farmers.

BS