The Waste-to-Energy Programme | 07 Nov 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the Central Government has issued guidelines for rolling out its waste-to-energy programme, paving the way for companies to produce biogas and bioCNG, and electricity from urban, industrial and agricultural waste and residues.

What is the Waste-to-Energy Program?

• About:
  • The program is part of an umbrella scheme, the National Bioenergy Programme.
  • The government will offer financial assistance to project developers, while implementing agencies, including inspection firms, will be paid service charges for commissioning the waste-to-energy plants.
• Implementing Agency:
  • Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) will be the implementing agency for the program.
    • IREDA will be paid a service charge of 1% of Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to process applications, besides 1% for the CFA (minimum ₹50,000) for implementing, and monitoring the performance once the plants are commissioned.
• Financial Assistance:
  • The Centre will provide financial assistance of Rs 75 lakh per MW for new biogas plants and Rs 50 lakh per MW for existing units.
  • If the waste-to-energy plants are set up in special category states, such as the North East, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Uttarakhand, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the eligible CFA will be 20% higher than the standard CFA pattern.

What is National Bioenergy Programme?

• About:
  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has notified the National Bioenergy Programme.
• Sub-Schemes:
  • Waste to Energy Programme.
  • Biomass Programme:
    • Scheme to Support Manufacturing of Briquettes & Pellets and Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration in Industries to support setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation and non-bagasse-based power generation projects.
  • Biogas Programme:
    • To support setting up of family and medium size Biogas in rural areas.

What is Biogas & BioCNG?

• Biogas:
  • It mainly comprises hydro-carbon which is combustible and can produce heat and energy when burnt.
  • Biogas is produced through a biochemical process in which certain types of bacteria convert the biological wastes into useful bio-gas.
  • Since the useful gas originates from a biological process, it has been termed as bio-gas.
    • Methane gas is the main constituent of biogas. 
• BioCNG:
  • Bio-CNG is a renewable fuel obtained by purifying biogas – in contrast to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), a non-renewable source of energy. Biogas is produced when microbes break down organic matter like food, crop residue, waste water, etc.
  • It is similar to natural gas in terms of its composition and properties, and is a cleaner alternative to fuels such as petrol and diesel.

What are the Benefits of Bio Energy?

• Pollution Free Cities:
  • The biogas solution can help make our cities clean and pollution-free.
  • Leaching of toxic substances from landfills contaminates the groundwater.
  • Decomposing organic matter releases huge amounts of methane into the environment, causing air pollution and global warming as methane is a very potent GHG.
• Handling Organic Waste:
  • Installing large-scale municipal biogas systems can help cities handle organic waste efficiently to overcome the environmental and socio-economic challenges posed by overburdened landfills.
  • Municipal waste can be fed into these plants to create clean and green fuel, along with biofertilizers, while keeping the cities clean and hygienic.
• Helpful for Women:
  • Switching to biogas could be good for women because they won't be exposed to harmful smoke and pollution.
  • The female members of a household are affected by indoor pollution as they spend more time inside the house.
• Will Transform Energy Dependence:
  • Biogas can play a critical role in transforming the energy dependence of rural and agricultural communities, which majorly depends on burning wood, dung, charcoal, coal and other fossil fuels for their energy needs.
  • The high dependence on non-renewable sources is the leading cause of the long-standing energy problems in the country.

What are Government’s Initiatives for Promoting Biogas & Waste Management?

• Biogas:
  • SATAT Scheme
  • The Indian government and Niti Aayog have outlined roadmaps to hasten our transition towards green fuels and promote LNG, hydrogen and methanol.
• Waste Management:
  • National Dashboard on Elimination of Single Use Plastic and Plastic Waste Management
  • Project REPLAN
  • Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016

Source: Mint