In October 2018, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, along with major players like Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd., launched the SATAT initiative. It aims to inspire entrepreneurs to set up Compressed Bio-Gas plants, making this eco-friendly fuel accessible for vehicles.
Aim
- The initiative aims to offer a Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation, benefiting vehicle-users, farmers, and entrepreneurs alike.
- SATAT holds the potential to improve municipal solid waste management and combat urban air pollution caused by farm stubble-burning and carbon emissions.
Naturally occurring bio-gas, from waste breakdown, like leftover crops and animal dung, undergoes purification to become Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG). With over 95% methane purity, CBG matches commercial natural gas in composition and energy. It’s renewable and has a calorific value similar to CNG, around 52,000 KJ/kg.
Implementation
- The establishment of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants will primarily involve independent entrepreneurs who will produce CBG for use as a green transport fuel alternative.
- CBG produced at these plants will be transported to fuel stations via cascades of cylinders owned by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
- Currently, the country has a network of 1,500 CNG stations catering to approximately 3.2 million gas-based vehicles.
- Entrepreneurs operating CBG plants will have the opportunity to market other by-products such as bio-manure and carbon dioxide to increase their returns on investment.
- The goal is to establish 5,000 CBG plants throughout India. Initially, 250 will be operational by 2020, scaling up to 1,000 by 2022, and all 5,000 by 2025. These plants aim to produce 15 million tonnes of CBG annually, equivalent to 40% of the nation’s current CNG usage at 44 million tonnes per year.
- The estimated investment for this initiative is around Rs. 1.7 lakh crore and is projected to create direct employment opportunities for 75,000 individuals.
Significance
- The SATAT initiative is poised to tackle environmental issues stemming from stubble burning by harnessing its potential.
- It aims to improve municipal solid waste management and combat urban air pollution and carbon emissions effectively.
- SATAT aims to reduce reliance on imported crude oil and boost farmers’ income, rural employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities through Compressed Bio-gas (CBG).
- Projections suggest the initiative could create direct employment for 75,000 individuals and produce 50 million tonnes of bio-manure for agricultural use.
- Compressed Bio-Gas mirrors the composition and energy potential of commercially available natural gas, making it a viable renewable fuel option.
Benefits of the Programme
There are multiple benefits from converting agricultural residue, cattle dung and municipal solid waste into CBG on a commercial scale:
- Responsible waste management, reduction in carbon emissions and pollution
- Additional revenue source for farmers
- Boost to entrepreneurship, rural economy and employment
- Support to national commitments in achieving climate change goals
- Reduction in import of natural gas and crude oil
- Buffer against crude oil/gas price fluctuations
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