Why in News :
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has updated the guidelines for two components of the National Bioenergy Programme:
- Waste to Energy
- Biomass Programme
What is Bioenergy?
Bioenergy is energy derived from organic materials (biomass) such as:
- Harvest residues, crop waste
- Animal dung, organic municipal and industrial waste
- It offers a renewable, clean alternative to fossil fuels, particularly for rural and semi-urban regions.
About National Bioenergy Programme
- Launched: 2022
- Phase-I Duration: 2021–22 to 2025–26
- Total Budget: ₹1,715 crore
Objectives:
- Utilize agricultural and organic waste for energy generation
- Promote clean cooking, rural sanitation, and income diversification
- Reduce dependency on fossil fuels
Three Key Components
Waste to Energy Programme
- Supports projects generating:
- Biogas, BioCNG, Power, Syngas
- Uses waste from:
- Urban, Industrial, and Agricultural sources
Biomass Programme
- Supports:
- Biomass Briquette/Pellet plants
- Cogeneration (non-bagasse) projects in industries
- Promotes efficient combustion of biomass
Biogas Programme
- Focus:
- Rural energy access, clean fuel for cooking, small-scale power
- Women’s empowerment, improved sanitation
- Biogas is ~95% methane and COâ‚‚ (plus traces of other gases)
Revised Guidelines Highlights
Central Financial Assistance (CFA) based on:
- Project size, location, and category
Special Focus Groups:
- North East, Hilly States, SC/ST beneficiaries receive 20% extra CFA
Updated modalities to:
- Boost private sector participation
- Improve project efficiency
- Ensure sustainable waste management
Significance
Environmental:
- Reduces stubble burning, methane emissions, and landfill pressure
Social:
- Promotes clean cooking fuel and rural health
- Encourages livelihood generation for farmers and women
Economic:
- Helps achieve energy security
- Encourages green entrepreneurship
- Promotes circular economy practices
Challenges
- Collection and logistics of biomass and waste
- Technological inefficiencies in decentralized plants
- Low awareness and capacity at the grassroots level
- Need for long-term purchase agreements (PPAs)
Way Forward
- Strengthen local implementation via panchayats, SHGs
- Build regional biomass banks
- Foster PPP models for waste collection and energy generation
- Link bioenergy with carbon credit markets
- Integrate with State Renewable Energy Policies
| UPSC Relevance GS3 – Environment: Renewable Energy Sources, Sustainable Energy GS2 – Government Policies: Welfare schemes for rural development GS3 – Agriculture: Waste management, income diversification for farmers Mains Practice Question Q. What are the key components of the National Bioenergy Programme? Discuss its role in sustainable energy development and rural income diversification.(GS3 – 250 words) |