Punjab is getting as many as 19 off-grid biogas power generation projects that are being set up in four phases across the state. The GOBARdhan projects are coming up in gaushalas that can provide an uninterrupted supply of cattle waste.
The 19 projects each of 100 Cum Biogas plant capacity will have a capital expenditure of Rs.31.17 lakhs and 5-year operation and maintenance cost would amount to Rs.16.20 lakhs.
The projects lined up for each of the 4 phases are:
Phase I consists of 5 projects in the gaushalas ofSukhemajra in Rupnagar District, Garolian in Fatehgarh Sahib, Janeri in Sangrur, Gajipur in Patiala, and Lalru in SAS Nagar. The projects will be functional by March 2023.
Phase II consists of 5 projects in the gaushalas ofPholahi in Hoshiarpur District, Dehriwal in Pathankot), Kamalpur in Kapurthala, Dilawarpur in SBS Nagar, and Kalanaur in Gurdaspur. The projects will be functional by April 2023.
Phase III consists of 5 projects in the gaushalas of Golewala in Faridkot District, Harraipur in Bathinda, Kishanpura in Moga, Salemshah in Fazilka, and Ratta Tibba in Muktsar Sahib. The projects will be functional by May 2023.
Phase IV consists of 4 projects in the gaushalas of Manal in Barnala District, Kaniya Kalan in Jalandhar, Khokhar Kalan in Mansa, and Dubli in Tarn Taran. The projects will be functional by June 2023.
While 4 projects funded under GOBAR-Dhan have been completed in Phase I; work is underway in village Garolian (Fatehgarh Sahib). Under Phase II, construction work has been started in Kamalpur village in Kapurthala) and one project has been completed at village Burj Pawat village in Ludhiana by Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST).
Components of Off-Grid Biogas Power Generation Project: Each of the projects will have aBio Digestor unit, Flow meters, a Biogas purification system, a Power generation Unit, and a Manure handling system.
Operation and Maintenance and Business Model: For each of the projects, a Mahila Mandal comprising of 3-4 active members from Self Help Group, self-employed individuals, homemakers, and self-employed workers under MNRE will be trained to operate and maintain the plant, in the production of solid manure, its marketing and selling to generate income. They will also take care of the promotion and sale of bio-slurry, and manure amongst farmers through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) with the support of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana. The Biogas Development and Training Centre under MNRE- PAU Ludhiana will be providing training to the Mahila Mandals. The 15th Finance Commission grants at GP and Block level will also be utilized for operation and maintenance, and in case of a shortfall of funds, the Panchayat’s own funds will be dovetailed.
Way Forward: To ensure the functioning of the GOBARdhan plants at Gaushalas, the formation of Mahila Mandals in the respective villages is vital as also the roll-out of the training programmes for them with the support of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Further, consultations need to be held with the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats for convergence of 15th Finance Commission tied grants for O&M of GOBAR-Dhan projects; consultation with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Department of Co-operation for identification of villages with availability of sufficient cattle for taking up of community GOBAR-Dhan projects; and consultation with the Animal Husbandry Department, Punjab Energy Development Agency for convergence of schemes under Biogas Programme of MNRE.
Project Outcomes:
Bio Manure: While some of the liquid slurry will be utilized in nearby fields, the remaining slurry will be converted into dry manure in the slurry handling system.
Power Generation: The biogas produced will be utilized to run a genset of 10 Kw to generate electricity needed to run the gaushala. The electricity charges of Rs. 40-45000 will be reduced.
Local Employment: Employment opportunities will be generated for the local community. The SHGs will be trained to run these projects which will generate livelihoods that includes the sale of manure.
Organic Farming: The utilization of bio manure will give a boost to organic farming and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers
Biodegradable waste management: All cattle dung generated in the village can be effectively managed in the plant thereby making cattle dung management easier.
Stakeholder Departments: According to official data, the stakeholder departments of the projects are – Department of Water Supply and Sanitation which is the coordinating Department will take care of funding under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen); Department of Animal Husbandry will undertake monitoring and functionality of the biogas plants in Gaushalas; Punjab Energy Development Agency is the executing Department for off-grid biogas power generation projects; and Punjab Agriculture University will oversee the Biogas Development and Training Centre (BDTC).
Swachh Bharat (Grameen) 