JUNE 20249GUJARAT NOW HOME TO ASIA'S LARGEST BIOGAS FACILITYESSAR GROUP FORAYS INTO CLEAN ENERGY SEGMENTTOP STORIESIn collaboration with a prominent business conglomerate, Gruner Renewable Energy is poised to inaugurate Asia's largest Compressed Biogas (CBG) facility in Navsari, Gujarat, a substantial milestone in India's pursuit of renewable energy. With an estimated investment of about Rs. 220 crores, this initiative aligns closely with governmental efforts to expand renewable energy adoption nationwide.The flagship CBG plant in Navsari is designed to produce 44 tons of biogas per day (TPD) utilizing economical feedstocks such as paddy, press mud, cane trash, and organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OF MSW). It is projected to generate over 16,000 tons of biogas annually, significantly contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goals of enhancing energy independence and sustainability.Gujarat, known for its proactive stance in the green energy sector, has seen heightened interest from major Indian corporations investing in renewable energy projects. Since introducing the pioneering Hybrid Policy in 2018, the state has achieved an installed capacity of 1,373 MW in the wind and solar energy sectors, underscoring its leadership in diversifying the renewable energy portfolio.Utkarsh Gupta, Founder & CEO of Gruner Renewable Energy, emphasized the company's commitment to combating climate change and driving economic growth through sustainable energy solutions. "Since our inception in 2023, Gruner has been dedicated to mitigating climate risks by converting waste into biogas, promoting environmental sustainability. Plants like Navsari will play a crucial role in reducing India's reliance on fossil fuels, generating employment within the biofuel sector, and significantly reducing our crude oil import bill", Gupta affirmed. Essar Group, a diversified metals-to-infrastructure conglomerate, is embarking on an ambitious journey to become a leader in clean energy. As part of its strategic vision for sustainable growth, Essar plans to invest a significant Rs 30,000 crore over the next four years to set up a green hydrogen plant in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This initiative is a cornerstone of Essar's commitment to decarbonize its operations and contribute to the global transition towards renewable energy.The green hydrogen plant in Jamnagar will be a major investment, with a planned capacity of 1 gigawatt of hydrogen production and associated green molecules capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum. Essar Renewables, a sister concern, will provide 4.5 GW of renewable energy to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, the cleanest known energy source. This green hydrogen can be used in various applications, including transportation, electricity generation, industrial power, and heating.In addition to the green hydrogen project, Essar Group is taking significant steps to decarbonize its existing operations. This includes implementing measures to reduce carbon emissions from its oil refinery operations in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Essar is planning to construct a green steel plant in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the global effort to reduce carbon footprints in the steel industry. The company is also developing an LNG and electric ecosystem to decarbonize long-haul heavy trucks.Looking ahead, Essar Group is considering entering the mining sector for critical minerals, which are essential for electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and wind turbine magnets. This potential expansion would further align with Essar's commitment to sustainability and support the growing demand for clean energy technologies.
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