Biofuel push!

■ Each plant is expected to produce 7,800 metric tonnes of compressed bio gas annually

■ 5 lakh acres of barren land into productive use for energy crop cultivation

■ Will create direct and indirect employment opportunities for 2.5 lakh people

■ Once all 500 plants are operational, the annual production of compressed bio gas is projected to reach 40 million metric tonnes   

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Reliance is set to invest Rs.65,000 crore to establish 500 Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants across the state. The ground-breaking ceremony for the first CBG plant will be held on Wednesday, in Kanigiri, Prakasam district, with Minister Nara Lokesh presiding over the event. The ceremony will also see the participation of State Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, senior Reliance executives including RIL Director PMS Prasad, RIL Mentor PVL Madhav Rao, and CEO of Reliance Bio Energy Business Harindra K. Tripathi.

Reliance Bio Energy will invest Rs.130 crore per plant, with Rs.105 crore allocated for infrastructure development and Rs.25 crore for land rejuvenation. Each plant is expected to produce 7,800 metric tonnes of compressed bio gas annually, along with 22,000 metric tonnes of high-quality fermented manure. This organic fertilizer will enhance soil fertility across 3,000 acres, supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

The initiative is expected to be a game-changer, bringing 5 lakh acres of barren land into productive use for energy crop cultivation. Additionally, it will create direct and indirect employment opportunities for 2.5 lakh people across the state. Once all 500 plants are operational, the annual production of compressed bio gas is projected to reach 40 million metric tonnes.

Reliance’s CBG plants will utilize agricultural residues, industrial waste, municipal solid waste, and energy crops to produce clean fuel. The company is focusing on pan-India expansion, setting up these plants primarily in unused lands, thereby reducing the environmental impact of waste accumulation.

Reliance plans to establish four integrated CBG hubs in various barren lands across India, with one of these hubs to be located in Prakasam district. The company aims to cultivate energy crops on just 3-4% of unproductive land to produce sustainable fuel. Each CBG plant requires approximately 1,000 acres of barren land for energy plantations and plant operations. This pioneering venture by Reliance Industries marks a transformative moment for India’s biofuel industry, with Andhra Pradesh taking center stage in the country’s green energy revolution.