World's Biggest Biogas Facility Unveiled in India

Aug 05, 2023

Sistema.bio, a Mexican social enterprise specializing in biogas technology, has opened the world’s biggest manufacturing facility for biogas plants in Pune, India. This facility has the capacity to produce 100,000 prefabricated biogas plants each year.

The CEO of Sistema.bio, Alex Eaton, explained that their bio-digesters are more affordable, durable, and easier to install compared to traditional biogas plants made with civil construction. These new-generation biogas plants cater to the needs of small farmers, as existing technologies are mainly designed for large-scale agriculture.

Sistema.bio, recognized as one of the top three biogas companies endorsed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has been granted participation in the esteemed National Bioenergy program. The government has allocated 100 crore rupees for this program, extending subsidies to private companies for installing biogas plants with new technologies.

With a staggering number of approximately five million installations, India stands as the foremost market for biogas plants. However, 50% of these plants are not operational. Sistema.bio aims to replace these outdated plants and targets both small farmers and large dairy and food companies. In the ongoing fiscal year, the company has ambitious plans to set up a remarkable 40,000 biogas units across the country. Moreover, their target for the following year is to double this impressive number.

The biogas produced by Sistema’s plants can be used for cooking on a two-burner stove and also generates fertilizers that can replace 70-80% of chemical fertilizers. Private dairies and cooperatives make use of the gas in larger installations to generate a valuable source of electricity.

The Tata Trusts played a vital role in bringing Sistema to India, and they continue to collaborate with the company. Sistema has successfully implemented 50,000 units across 21 states, forming partnerships with renowned organizations such as the National Dairy Development Board, Amul, Nestle, and the Infosys Foundation.

Sistema has invested 15 crore rupees in the manufacturing facility and plans to double its capacity through automation. They also have plans to export these biogas plants to the Asia Pacific and Africa regions.

The biogas plants by Sistema.bio use a durable material called LLDPE geomembrane, which has a lifespan of over 15 years. Within a mere day, these plants can be effortlessly transported to distant regions and swiftly assembled, ensuring convenience and efficiency.

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