9JUNE 2024TOP STORIESGUJARAT NOW HOME TO ASIA'S LARGEST BIOGAS FACILITYESSAR GROUP FORAYS INTO CLEAN ENERGY SEGMENTIn 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.The Navsari CBG plant is pivotal in India's comprehensive strategy for CBG-based rural economies, expected to create job opportunities for local stakeholders including farmers, suppliers, laborers, and youth.Gruner Renewable Energy strategically selected Navsari for its high-yielding and cost-effective feedstocks--pressmud, paddy, OF MSW, and canetrash. These feedstocks ensure efficient biofuel production, optimize the feedstock supply chain, and reduce pretreatment costs. By converting industrial waste into CBG, the plant will address waste management challenges and help mitigate environmental pollution. 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.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.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. Prashant Ruia, Director of Essar Capital, underscores the importance of this green transition, stating that the company aims to create green molecules directly rather than converting green ammonia back into hydrogen, thereby reducing costs significantly. The goal is to build a complex that focuses on producing biofuels and exporting green molecules efficiently.
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