The government announced recently that India has steadily expanded across various bioenergy categories, adding 2,361 megawatts of biomass-based power capacity, 228 MW of waste-to-energy capacity, and over 288,000 biogas plants over the previous ten years.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy stated in a written response to parliament that the capacity additions were funded by several central government programs and are now being pursued under the National Bioenergy Programme.

According to the ministry, the development represents ongoing policy support for bioenergy projects that turn organic waste, agricultural wastes, and other feedstocks into fuel and electricity, thereby boosting the growth of renewable energy in India.

The National Bioenergy Programme Phase I, announced in November 2022, has a budget investment of ₹998 crore ($120 million) and runs from 2022–2023 to 2025–2026.

The program offers central funding for new installations and capacity growth in waste-to-energy, biomass, and biogas technologies. The government funds a variety of bioenergy initiatives under the National Bioenergy Programme, such as biogas-based systems, waste-to-energy facilities, and biomass power plants.

Over the past ten years, deployment has also been encouraged by earlier projects. These included programs supporting grid-connected biomass power and bagasse-based cogeneration in sugar mills, as well as the National Biogas and Manure Management Program and the New National Biogas and Organic Manure Program.

Additionally, during the 12th Five-Year Plan period, programs aimed at energy recovery from urban, industrial, and agricultural waste were put into action. From 2018–19 to 2020–21, additional funding was provided.

As a result, a combination of centralised and decentralised installations helped India’s bioenergy capacity grow across a number of states and industries. According to official figures, India installed 2,361.43 MW of biomass-based generating capacity in the last ten years.

With more than 1,070 MW, Maharashtra had the largest biomass installations. Karnataka came in second with roughly 537 MW, and Punjab had more over 140 MW.

During that time, Tamil Nadu installed more than 112 MW of biomass power capacity, while Uttar Pradesh added 146.6 MW.

Growing attempts to turn industrial and municipal garbage into electricity are reflected in the 227.56 megawatts of electrical waste-to-energy capacity expansions.

At over 41 MWe, Uttar Pradesh has the largest waste-to-energy capacity, followed by Maharashtra at 24.26 MWe and Delhi, the National Capital Territory, at 24.17 MWe.

According to the ministry’s state-by-state data, Punjab and Haryana also added significant waste-to-energy capacity. Over the past ten years, India has put 288,079 biogas plants into service nationally, demonstrating the country’s ongoing adoption of decentralised energy systems.

With more than 71,600 installations, Maharashtra had the most biogas plants overall. Madhya Pradesh installed over 32,100 plants, and Karnataka followed with over 34,600 units.

According to the data, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Punjab also reported significant numbers of new biogas plants.

While other areas reported no additional capacity at that time, a number of northern states and island territories reported smaller installations. Central financial aid under the National Bioenergy Programme differs according on project size and technology type.

Power generation based on new or existing biogas facilities, biogas generation, and bioCNG production are all supported. Assistance related to installed capacity is also available for biomass and agro-industrial waste-based power plants.

Subject to project-level caps, the Biomass Programme offers incentives to briquette and pellet manufacturing facilities, including both torrefied and non-torrefied pellets.

Separately, the Biogas Program supports bigger systems for thermal or electricity generation as well as modest home plants. Northeastern states, island areas, registered Gaushalas, and beneficiaries of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are eligible for more aid.

The ministry stated that as policymakers work to increase India’s bioenergy capacity and enhance the efficient use of waste, new bioenergy projects are being supported under the National Bioenergy Programme Phase I.

According to the government, the state-by-state installation data demonstrate the increasing share of biogas plants, biomass power, and waste-to-energy facilities in India’s mix of renewable energy sources.