Govt in Rs. 858-cr green drive to check pollution

Alternative Energy Route

- NBP comprises 3 sub-schemes

- Ireda will be implementing agency

- Waste-to-Energy Programme gets Rs600 cr

- Biomass Programme gets Rs158-cr funding

- And Rs100 cr for the Biogas Programme

New Delhi: The central government has sanctioned Rs858 crore for the implementation of the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP) till 2025-26. The NBP comprises three sub-schemes. The Waste-to-Energy Programme pertains to industrial, domestic, and agricultural waste and residues. The Biomass Programme supports the manufacturing of briquettes & pellets and promotes the non-bagasse biomass-based cogeneration in industries. The third one is the Biogas Programme.

The NBP may also help fight the menace of air pollution in North India, which is caused by the burning of agricultural waste.

The amount of Rs858 crore includes the expenses made under the three sub-schemes in 2021-22, official sources told Bizz Buzz.

The Waste-to-Energy Programme has got the maximum allocation, of Rs600 crore, followed with Rs158 crore for the Biomass Programme, and Rs100 crore for the Biogas Programme.

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (Ireda) will be the implementing agency. Ireda is a Mini Ratna category public-sector enterprise (PSE) under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

For the waste-to-energy plants set up in special category States, the eligible central financial assistance (CFA) would be 20 per cent higher than standard CFA pattern. The special category States and Union Territories (UTs) include the North-Eastern region, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands,

The biogas, bioCNG, and biogas-based power generation plants based on cattle dung as main feedstock set up by Gaushalas (cow shelters) independently or through joint ventures or partnerships will be eligible for 20 per cent higher CFA than the standard CFA pattern. These Gaushalas should be registered with the respective State governments.

The developers are stipulated to share plant generation data with the MNRE or any other agency designated by the MNRE, except in the case of biomass gasifiers through installation of SCADA system or the remote monitoring system.

The grant of CFA to plants which intend to add capacity to the existing plants shall also be considered, sources said.

The CFA for such plants will be considered only for the enhanced capacity by way of installation of new plant and machinery. Applications received for expansion projects will be processed as per guidelines existing at the time of submission of the application for expansion.

The waste-to-energy plants based on waste heat, waste plastics, waste tires or such other polymer waste shall not be eligible for CFA, sources said.