In a momentous event, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, inaugurated Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) Biomass-based Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant in Badaun. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs, along with other dignitaries, including Rameswar Teli, State Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Labour and Employment, Govt. of India.
The CBG Plant, commissioned with an investment of approximately Rs. 133 crore, boasts a processing capacity of 100 MTPD of rice straw, generating 14 MTPD of CBG and 65 MTPD of solid manure. Spread across an area of 50 acres, this groundbreaking initiative aligns with the Government of India’s emphasis on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, as outlined in the National Biofuel Policy 2018.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted the plant’s significant environmental impact, anticipating a reduction in natural gas and crude imports, decreased emissions, and a positive contribution to climate change goals and the Swachh Bharat Mission. Upon stabilization of production, the CBG plant is expected to reduce stubble burning of 17,500-20,000 acres of fields, translating into an annual reduction of 55,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
The project also aims to boost farmers’ income by procuring biomass from local farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations, providing livelihood opportunities to more than 100 people. The unique Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM) facility within the plant, meeting stringent Fertilizer Control Order norms, further enhances its environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri praised the performance of Uttar Pradesh in various government schemes and announced plans for over 100 such bio gas plants to be set up in the state. The CBG Plant in Badaun marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, aligning with the centre’s vision for a future grounded in energy access, efficiency, sustainability, and security.
