Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described compressed biogas (CBG) plants are a significant source of alternative energy since they have a positive ripple effect on the community's economy by using locally sourced raw materials. In order to combat the problems of global warming and environmental degradation, he emphasised the importance of focusing on renewable and alternative energy sources.
Sarma stated, "In light of the challenges posed by global warming, people should use less of fossil fuel and concentrate more on getting power and fuel from alternative sources," at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a CBG unit at Domora Pather in Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati. He emphasised that tiny CBG plants can also go a long way in fulfilling fuel demand for autos and
industries. He also mentioned that solar plants are being built more frequently to address power needs. The raw materials used in the biogas units, such as municipal solid waste, cow dung, hay, etc., are supplied from the adjacent areas, which has "a cascading effect on the local economy," according to him.
Sarma noted that such a facility in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, uses excrement as the raw material and remarked, "There was a period when people believed raising cows was no longer a lucrative endeavour. But again again, it has been demonstrated that cows are always the most profitable animal. People now aim to keep animals alive and use their manure as fuel instead of murdering them for their flesh, according to Sarma.
By November of this year, the Sonapur biogas unit, which is being built under the SATAK project of the Center, will be operational, with an installed capacity of five tonnes CBG daily. Redlemon Technologies Pvt Ltd, which is based in Guwahati and is building the facility, has suggested two additional of these units for the region, he continued.
On October 1, 2018, the Sustainable Alternative to Affordable Transportation (SATAK) programme on CBG went live. The initiative plans to produce 15 MMT (million tonnes) of CBG from 5,000 Units by 2023. Sarma, the Reliance group has also expressed interest in opening 16 CBG units in the state using leftover hay and paddy as raw materials. "Our government is striving towards it," the chief minister continued, "since a state like ours, wealthy in natural resources, should focus on clean and renewable energy sources.
