National Bioenergy Programme

Why in news?

• Government initiates various steps under National Bioenergy Programme to promote and encourage establishment of new waste to energy plants.

What is Bioenergy?

• It is a kind of renewable energy derived when biomass fuels are combusted.
• Biomass fuel originates from organic material such as crop residues, waste derived from domestic activities, etc.

About National Bioenergy Programme:

• According to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India can generate 14 GW of power through bagasse-based cogeneration.
• The programme will continue from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• The National Bioenergy Plan is dissected into three different sub-plans:
  • Waste to Energy Programme:
    • This scheme is targeted to utilise the waste from different sectors and generate energy from it.
    • It reflects one of the classic implementations of the concept of a circular economy.
    • In this plan, waste generated from industrial, domestic and agricultural sectors will be used for the generation of energy.
    • It aims to support setting up of large Biogas, BioCNG and Power plants (excluding MSW to Power projects).
  • Biomass Programme:
    • This scheme will provide support for the setting up of pellets and briquettes to be used for power generation and non-bagasse-based power generation.
  • Biogas Programme:
    • Under this head, support would be provided to the family members for setting up small and medium size biogas plants in rural areas.
    • Biogas is produced when bio-degradable organic materials/wastes such as cattle dung, biomass from farms, gardens, kitchens, industry, poultry droppings, night soil and municipal wastes are subjected to a scientific process, called anaerobic digestion in a biogas plant.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following components are included under National Bioenergy Programme?

1. To support setting up of family and medium size Biogas in rural areas

2. To support setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation

3. To support setting up of large BioCNG plants

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer