Punjab Minister says state to meet 20 per cent fuel demand through biofuels by 2035

Chandigarh, Oct 16 (IANS) The Punjab government is aiming to meet 20 per cent of the state's fuel demand through biofuels by 2035, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Sources Aman Arora said on Wednesday. 

Speaking at a round table discussion on "Bio-fuels: Re-imagining India’s Energy Sector and Sustainability in Agriculture" here, he said the policy aims to develop and promote the production of biofuels, including compressed biogas (CBG), 2G bio-ethanol and biomass pellets from agricultural residues.

This initiative seeks to utilise at least 50 per cent of agricultural and other waste, which is expected to enhance soil organic content by up to five percent, he said. Additionally, it will provide the state farmers with opportunities to generate extra income by cultivating biofuel crops and selling biomass.

As an agrarian state, Punjab has significant potential for biofuels production, generating approximately 20 million tonnes of paddy straw annually, of which around 12 million tonnes are currently utilised in various applications.

To address the issue of stubble burning and ensure the scientific disposal of paddy straw, establishing compressed biogas (CBG) projects is an effective solution. Punjab has allocated 58 CBG projects with a total production capacity of about 720 tons CBG per day based on paddy straw and other agricultural residues.

Once operational, these projects will utilise around 24-25 lakh tonnes of paddy straw each year, while also creating direct employment for about 5,000 individuals and indirect employment for an additional 7,500 people, he said.

Urging the state farmers, industry and other stakeholders to collaborate with the government and embrace biofuel initiatives for a greener future, Arora emphasised the need for a new green revolution. He pointed out that the paddy-wheat cycle has led to the over-exploitation of groundwater and degradation of soil health. Biofuels produce fewer greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuels, making them a cleaner alternative.

Additionally, they contribute to a circular economy by converting waste into energy, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. He also encouraged inter-cropping and crop rotation as effective strategies to maintain soil fertility and minimise the negative impacts of monoculture practices.

By diversifying crop production, farmers can enhance soil health, improve yield resilience and promote sustainable farming methods that benefit both the environment and agricultural productivity, he added.

He said four projects with a total capacity of 85 tonnes per day of CBG are currently operational. Additionally, one more CBG project with a capacity of 20 tonnes per day is set to be commissioned in this fiscal.

Six additional projects with a combined capacity of 59 tonnes per day of CBG will be launched in 2025-26.

--IANS

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