Haryana to set up biogas bottling plants

Aiming to mitigate the energy woes through renewable energy measures, Haryana is eyeing commissioning of its first biogas bottling plant this year.

According to sources in HAREDA (Haryana Renewable Energy Development Authority), the state got sanction for two projects. The first to be commissioned this year in August at Hansi and the other at Tohana by 2012.

As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), installation of such plants aims at meeting stationery and motive power, cooling, refrigeration and electricity needs in addition to cooking and heating requirements.

The HAREDA officials maintained the 1000 cubic metre capacity plant envisaging a total investment of Rs 183 lakh is likely to be commissioned at Hansi this year.

The project has been sanctioned by MNRE with central financial assistance of Rs 91.5 lakhs. MNRE offers central financial assistance of 50 per cent of the cost (excluding cost of land) to the approved projects for setting up bottling of biogas plant following an entrepreneurial mode on Built, Own and Operate (BOO) and re-imbursement basis.

The HAREDA officials said all necessary clearances for the project have been received and the date for commissioning the project is August 28 this year. MNRE has also sanctioned 600 cubic metre capacity biogas fertiliser plant at Tohana.

The combined investment in the project is Rs 85 lakhs with central financial assistance of Rs 42.50 lakh. The date of commissioning this plant is February 2012.

The MNRE aiming to tap biomass resources, had taken initiative for bottling of biogas, where biogas availability is adequate.

Three more proposals have been received by HARDEA whereby players have expressed interest to set up bottling plants in different parts of the state.

While a proposal for setting up 4216 cubic metre biogas fertiliser plant for generation, purification , enrichment, bottling and pipe distribution (BGFP) at district Sirsa has been received, there is another proposal for setting 10,000 cubic metre bottling and pipe distribution of biogas plant in district Yamunangar.

All the three proposals are still under consideration.