India Reaches 1.7 Percent Biogas Blending Goal in First Half

India reached 1.7 percent blending of compressed biogas with domestic piped natural gas and vehicular compressed natural gas during the first half of the current financial year. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board stated that sales must speed up in the second half to hit the required 3 percent goal by the end of the fiscal year.

Sales and Targets

Compressed biogas sales reached 115.9 million standard cubic metres between April and September, while combined sales of compressed natural gas and domestic piped natural gas hit 6,800 million standard cubic metres. Total consumption of both fuels is expected to reach 13,600 million standard cubic metres for the full year. Biogas sales must increase to 408 million standard cubic metres to meet the 3 percent target, needing an extra 292.1 million standard cubic metres on top of the first-half volume. The country also set targets of 4 percent blending for 2027-28 and 5 percent for the following year.

Infrastructure Challenges

The regulatory board pointed out infrastructure gaps and highlighted the need to link biogas plants to gas pipelines for guaranteed buyers and better use of built capacity. Out of 210 working plants across the country, capacity use sits at an average of just 44 percent. More importantly, 247 out of 308 plants currently being built lack any plans for pipeline connections. Plants with pipeline access use 65 to 69 percent of their designed capacity, leading to better gas pickup and overall plant use.

Context

Compressed biogas is an eco-friendly alternative to fossil-derived natural gas, produced from organic waste sources like agricultural residue and cattle dung. Expanding domestic biofuel production helps reduce a country's reliance on imported energy while managing waste sustainably. Infrastructure integration remains a key hurdle for alternative energy distribution networks worldwide.