Sustainable utilization of biogas technology: A promising solution to combat the energy crisis in India

Abstract

India is facing a significant energy crisis due to its rapidly growing population, which is not being met by an equivalent increase in energy supply. According to the US Energy Information Administration, India's electricity consumption is projected to grow by 3.3% annually until 2035. Biogas technology, which converts waste into clean energy, offers a promising solution to this problem and accounts for 9% of global energy consumption. Despite being introduced in 1981, biogas technology's potential in India remains largely untapped, with only 7.34 MWe of off-grid projects generated by 2020. However, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have significant potential for biogas generation. The National Biogas and Manure Management Program (NBMMP) have installed 5,056,139 biogas plants between 1981-82 and 2020-21, with Maharashtra being the top performer. India's agrarian economy provides ample raw materials for biogas generation, making it a crucial renewable resource for the country's energy crisis. Given the pressing need to address global warming, greenhouse effects, depleting fossil fuels, and pollution, biogas technology is essential for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Focusing on biogas technology can help India meet its increasing energy demands and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future. From 2018-19 to 2020-21, the NBMMP received a total allocation of INR 1,439,249,000.