Steps taken to promote production of new and renewable energy from bioenergy sources including farm stubble – EQ
In Short : Several steps and initiatives have been taken to promote the production of new and renewable energy from bioenergy sources, including the utilization of farm stubble. These measures are crucial for addressing environmental concerns, managing agricultural residues sustainably, and promoting clean energy alternatives. Here are some key steps:
In Detail : The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power has informed that the Government has taken various steps to promote production of new and renewable energy resources from bioenergy sources including farm stubble across the country, including from the state of Punjab. These steps, inter alia, include the following:
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has notified the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP) in November, 2022 with budgetary outlay of Rs. 1715 Crore for the period 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2026, to be implemented in two phases. The first phase has budget outlay of Rs. 858 Crore. This Programme supports setting up of Bioenergy plants by providing Central Financial Assistance (CFA). Under the Biomass Programme and Waste To Energy Programme component of NBP, the project developers can set up the bioenergy projects anywhere in the country including all districts of the State of Punjab. The CFA to these projects is provided as per the relevant scheme guidelines.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched “Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT)” initiative on 1st October 2018, with the aim of establishing an ecosystem for production of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) from various waste / biomass sources and for promoting its use along with Natural Gas.
Under the GOBARDHAN scheme implemented by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, a financial assistance up to Rs. 50.00 lakh per district is available for setting up of model community biogas plants.
Ministry of Power has notified SAMARTH Mission (National Mission on Use of Biomass in Thermal Power Plants) for promoting the blending of biomass in the existing coal powered thermal power plants.
Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified guidelines to provide financial support for setting up of Biomass Pellet plants in the NCT of Delhi, States of Punjab and Haryana and NCR districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has taken initiative to create awareness for utilisation of farm stubble in Bioenergy projects in 20 districts of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
National Biomass Mission, Ministry of Power, has organized 51 awareness programs for various stakeholders including farmers across 18 states in the country to promote Biomass Cofiring in thermal power plants.
This information has been given by the Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power Shri R. K. Singh, in a written reply to a question, in Rajya Sabha on December 5, 2023.
