Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 13: India could theoretically produce 62 MMT of compressed biogas yearly. Animal waste offers the largest share, at 41%. Collection challenges could limit how much is achievable, per Equirus.
India has an estimated 472 MMT of annual CBG feedstock potential. This could theoretically yield around 62 MMT of compressed biogas, according to Equirus. Animal waste alone represents nearly 41% of this potential.
How Large Is India’s CBG Opportunity?
Equirus estimates India’s feedstock base spans several waste streams. These include animal waste, crop residues and municipal solid waste. Sewage biomass and sugar-mill press mud add further potential. Together, they underpin the estimated 62 MMT CBG figure. The figure describes technical potential, not confirmed output.
Animal Waste Leads, But Collection Is Hard
About 190 MMT of animal waste could yield nearly 25 MMT of CBG. That represents roughly 41% of India’s total estimated potential. However, only about 15% of gross dung is collectable, Equirus said. Livestock is spread across millions of scattered farms. Dense clusters and organised collection networks remain essential for scale.
Crop Residues Could Add Another 20 MMT
Agricultural residues, including paddy and wheat straw, offer big potential. Equirus estimates around 150 MMT of such residue exists. This could theoretically produce nearly 20 MMT of CBG. A short 45-day harvest window complicates aggregation, the report noted. Developers would need substantial seasonal collection and storage capacity.
Municipal Waste and Sewage Add Smaller Shares
Municipal solid waste, estimated at 62 MMT, could yield 5 MMT of CBG. Only 50-55% of urban wet waste is biodegradable, Equirus said. Sewage-treatment biomass, at roughly 50 MMT, could add nearly 10 MMT. Press mud from sugar mills, around 20 MMT, could yield 2 MMT. Equirus said press mud offers simpler, single-point sourcing economics.
CBG’s Wider Environmental and Energy Role
Diverting crop residue could cut emissions, Equirus said. It estimated savings of 0.8-1.2 tonnes of CO2-equivalent per tonne diverted. India burns roughly 87 MMT of crop residue annually. CBG plants also produce fermented organic manure as a by-product. This manure can return organic carbon and nutrients to soil. Verbio Sangrur reportedly produces 33 tonnes of CBG and 600 tonnes of manure daily. PNGRB estimates the feedstock base could support 230 MMSCMD of biogas. That could partly offset India’s reliance on imported natural gas.
Why 62 MMT Remains a Distant Target
The 62 MMT figure reflects theoretical feedstock potential, not current output. Actual production depends on collection rates and transport logistics. Financing, plant utilisation and offtake agreements also matter greatly. Pipeline connectivity and local gas demand will shape commercial viability. Animal waste and agricultural residue offer the largest opportunities. Yet both face significant aggregation and infrastructure hurdles. Realistic near-term output will likely remain well below 62 MMT.
