Germany, India biogas associations announce project development partnership

The German Biogas Association (Fachverband Biogas) and the Indian Biogas Association (IBA) have launched a three-year project to foster development of the biogas industry in India.

The initial project, with an option for an additional three years, is funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and operated by Sequa.

‘The potential for biogas energy production in the Indian subcontinent is enormous,’ says Dr. Claudius da Costa Gomez, CEO of Fachverband Biogas.

According to research by the Indian Ministry of Renewable Energies, India can generate up to 5,000MW from biogas solely through the consistent use of the biogenic residual materials accumulated in the country’s sugar mills.

Additionally, up to 650 million tonnes of biomass materials available can provide an additional 18,000MW of electric power.

If realised, India could supply 20% of its annual electricity needs with nearly 700TWh of biogas plants.

The objective of the partnership is to improve the framework for the development of the biogas industry in India and build a member-based association structure so the IBA can be independently financed.

Da Costa Gomez continues: ‘We want the IBA to be financed by member contributions so it can develop the biogas industry and provide the country the climate, energy and environmental benefits that biogas can offer.’

Gaurav Kedia, CEO at IBA, adds: ‘IBA is pleased we can collaborate with the German Biogas Association in order to absorb its invaluable experience along with the technical know-how transfer. Harnessing biogas from multi-feedstocks can definitely provide an ecological balance along with the environmental sustainability, which is already a proven story in Germany.’