India, Netherlands Partner on 14 Compressed Biogas Projects

January 26, 2021 Indian Biogas

Indian firm BoxLNG has signed a technology collaboration and investment agreement with Netherlands-based bioenergy systems supplier Host to roll out 14 bio-compressed biogas (bio-CBG) projects that will supply roughly 150 t/d of the renewable vehicle fuel under the scheme by the Indian Government plans to set up 5,000 CBG plants throughout the country.

BoxLNG, a distributed clean bioenergy project developer, is focused on executing scalable RNG and CBG projects, and through its subsidiary ZiPGAS. The indian firm will use the various biomass/waste sources, including agricultural residue, municipal solid waste, sugarcane press mud, distillery spent wash, cattle dung, sewage treatment plant, and food waste, to generate the CBG. And, Host will support ZiPGAS along with its subsidiary Bright Biomethane with a focus on biogas purification.

Herman Klein Teeselink, CEO of Host, said “We are excited about the partnership with BoxLNG. This is a great bioenergy platform for us to showcase our technology expertise in one of the fastest-growing clean energy fields, and for us to establish a strong foothold in (South) Asia.”

Under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme by the Government of India, plans to set up 5,000 CBG plants across the country by 2023-2024 with an estimated production of 15 million tonnes of CBG annually to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and natural gas imports, as well as improve agricultural waste management and farmer incomes.

The Government of India aims to establish 15mn t of output across 5,000 plants by 2023-2024

Satat sees national oil and gas companies guaranteeing offtake from bio-CBG plants for retail at public fuel stations. Supplies started from seven plants by mid-December last year, according to the ministry, though their total capacity was unclear. The ministry had approved another 621 projects from entrepreneurs, while gas firms Adani Gas, Torrent Gas and Petronet LNG have committed to work with technology providers to set up a further 900 plants.

“This is an opportune time for India to showcase its leadership position towards cleaner and greener future,” said Brij Mohan Bansal, president of BoxLNG, “and in this regard, following on the aspirations of our Honourable Prime Minister, we are fully committed towards energy transition by utilising local resources.”

Sachin Nagdive, CEO of BoxLNG, said “We thank Host for their intention to work together with BoxLNG towards the realisation of the first projects in India. We are working tirelessly towards our first target of achieving 200 CBG plants over the next 10 years, and for this to happen we need strong partners. Host brings to the table world-class proven technology, investment, and support allowing us to scale-up in a short span of time.

BoxLNG will start its first three plants between India’s Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra states starting February 2021, with another 11 projects throughout 2021. And, HoSt will deliver investment capital and technical assistance, particularly in biogas purification or removing carbon dioxide and other impurities from the methane produced through anaerobic digestion to make it suitable for use as a fuel. It said it has supplied more than 200 waste-to-bioenergy systems globally.