India's state-owned Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has signed an agreement with GAIL (India) Limited to set up 10 compressed biogas projects and other new and renewable energy projects in the state.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by PEDA CEO Amarpal Singh and GAIL (India) Executive Director RK Singhal.
The Minister for Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources (NRES), Aman Arora, said the pact will assist the state in managing five lakh tonnes of paddy straw per annum for clean energy generation.
He added the Punjab, as an agrarian state, has enormous potential for crop residue-based compressed biogas plants.
NRES Secretary Ravi Bhagat said that with the implementation of these 10 projects, paddy straw in around 1.25 lakh acres is expected to be prevented from being burnt.
Singhal said 10 CBG projects will be set up with an investment of about Rs 600 crore, producing 35,000 tonnes of biogas and about 8,700 tonnes of organic manure annually.
Punjab to set up 10 CBG projects
