Driven by its committed target towards energy security, inclusive growth and sustainability, India is poised at the forefront of renewable energy transition. As one of the fastest growing markets in renewable energy, the nation is working towards achieving ambitious targets to minimize fossil fuel dependence and cut down on carbon emissions.
The total installed capacity of renewable energy in India as of 31st March, 2025 has reached 220.10 GW, an increase from 198.75 GW in the previous year. While the renewable energy sector is dominated by solar and wind, bio energy is emerging as a strong pillar to the country’s green energy blend.
Among bio energy, biogas is showing a lot of promise with India’s already existing agricultural economy, availability of vast livestock population, manure and municipal waste that present immense opportunities. The key advantage of biogas is that it offers a decentralized, reliable and circular energy option that converts waste into not just clean energy but also nutrient rich organic manure.
The government has rolled out several incentives, subsidies and policies to support biogas that sets an encouraging landscape for private companies and investors to make an entry, reducing risks that often emerge with development of new projects. With over 5 million operational plants, the market is projected to be worth USD 1.77 billion by 2025. It is expected to reach USD 3.49 billion by 2032.
We spoke to Gaurav Kedia – Chairman, Indian Biogas Association, a prominent leader in the renewable energy sector, promoting alternative energy options. A dynamic voice from India, he has played a vital role in driving policy advocacy, collaboration and large scale spread of biogas technologies in India. With his impressive corporate leadership background and push for sustainability he shares valuable insights about key points that are steering the sector to bigger roles and shaping India’s energy roadmap.
Do you see any merit in a single National Green Energy Policy that could unify solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen, and storage under one framework?
A unified National Green Energy Policy offers immense merit by streamlining regulations, harmonizing incentives, and reducing project duplication across solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen, and storage sectors. India’s “One Nation-One Grid-One Frequency” success for electricity proves large-scale integration is feasible. A single policy could address grid interconnections—India now runs one of the world’s largest synchronous power grids. Such unification can drive joint ventures, pooled investments, faster permitting, and integrated R&D, mirroring how Germany coordinates centralized green transitions. A central framework would catalyze innovation, reduce financing costs, and help India leap towards its ambitious 500 GW non-fossil target by 2030.
Compared to China, Germany, and the U.S., where does India stand in the global green energy race, and what gaps need closing?
India ranks third globally, in renewable power generation, having surpassed Germany in 2024 in wind and solar output. Now it is trailing only China and the US. China leads in manufacturing and capacity, while the US and Germany are strong in R&D and grid innovations. India’s strengths include record solar expansion (24 GW added in 2024), world-class grid stability, and rising foreign direct investment. Major gaps remain. There is a need for greater financing (at least 20% annual boost), faster technology transfer, and increased storage deployment. India’s per capita power emissions are still lower than global averages, despite being the third-largest emitter overall.
How much of the promise of green energy in rural jobs, waste-to-wealth, and decentralized power have been realized on the ground?
India’s green energy push could impact the livelihoods of about 37 million rural people, especially through decentralized renewable energy (DRE) technologies. DRE solutions—like off-grid biogas and solar mini-grids—are powering water pumps, agro-processing, and small businesses. Programs such as Powering Livelihoods aim to mainstream clean energy for farms and micro-enterprises. Nearly 45.8% of India’s workforce is rural, and DRE tech directly helps job creation, improves incomes, and supports “waste-to-wealth” by converting agri-waste to energy. However, scaling up is crucial for nationwide impact.
What are the key factors for running efficient and financially sustainable biogas plants in India?
Financially sustainable biogas plants in India rely on regular feedstock supply, access to working capital, skilled operations, policy clarity, and local market linkages for both gas and digestate. Plants using diverse biomass sources like dairy, agriculture, municipal waste are more resilient. Biogas plants designed for ‘zero discharge’ can also generate up to 2 tons of organic fertilizer per day per 100 m³ digester capacity, doubling farm value. Tech adoption (IoT for monitoring, advanced digesters) and active training for plant operators are keys to maximizing uptime and output.
Schemes like GOBAR-Dhan, SATAT and MNRE subsidies were designed to boost biogas adoption. In your view, how effective have they been on the ground, and what policy gaps still need addressing to scale the sector?
Schemes like GOBAR-Dhan and SATAT have pushed the sector. SATAT targets 5,000 compressed biogas (CBG) plants, and the GOBAR-Dhan program has commissioned over 1,500 facilities. However, challenges persist with uneven state-level implementation, slow subsidy disbursal, and limited off take guarantees. India could unlock 62 million tons per annum of biogas potential from agricultural waste and cattle dung alone. Better policy convergence, steady feedstock supply chains, and assured compressed biogas purchase mechanisms will scale adoption faster. Compulsory Blending Obligation (CBO) leading to 5% blending by FY 28-29 is another push factor for the sector.
Which emerging technologies—AI, IoT, advanced bioreactors, or others—could be game-changers for scaling both biogas and green energy?
Emerging technologies like AI and IoT enable real-time plant monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimal fermentation control. Advanced bioreactors increase yields and reduce downtime. AI algorithms can already predict feedstock variability and suggest adjustments, raising methane output by up to 15%. For the sector at large, blockchains can verify green gas carbon credits, and modular “plug-and-play” digesters are making installations easier and smarter than before.
Beyond cooking and electricity, what new applications of biogas are becoming commercially viable?
Biogas now powers not just kitchens and lamps but also vehicles (as CBG, a green alternative to CNG), industrial boilers, and cold storage units. The aviation sector R&D possibility to look at biogas conversion to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends, and some green hydrogen projects use biogas as a hydrogen feedstock, closing carbon loops are few of the interesting examples. Fertilizer industry use of digestate, and biogas supplying backup power for telecom towers, are other interesting applications.
How effective are trade expos for advancing green energy—policy, financing, and partnerships—and how can India make them globally competitive?
Trade expos are vital for networking, policy debate, and global investment. India’s Renewable Energy India Expo draws incredible exhibitors from 40+ countries every year, hosting tech launches and joint ventures. The rough estimation dwells over ₹5,000 crore as far as MoUs and other deals are concerned from REI itself. To improve, India can foster themed B2B matchmaking, increase presence of global VCs, and invite cross-sector showcases to the expo stalwarts leading global expos.
How can India better shift perceptions of biogas and green energy from niche or rural solutions to mainstream, modern energy choices?
Campaigns using “Green Energy Champions”—from farmers to movie stars—can reshape biogas’s image from rural to cutting-edge, aspirational energy options. Urban pilot projects and rooftop flexible digesters show biogas isn’t just for villages. Already, several cities including Pune, Bengaluru have had buses trial using CBG blends, spotlighting green mobility in metros. Stronger media engagement and school curriculum integration will mainstream the sector.
Looking ahead 5–10 years, how do you see biogas and other green energies contributing to India’s net-zero targets and global export ambitions?
Biogas and green energy will play a core role in achieving India’s ambitious net-zero by 2070 and 500 GW non-fossil goals by 2030. With 62 million tons per annum of Bio-CNG/CBG potential, large-scale plants could cut 100+ million tons of CO₂ annually. India can even set to export CBG and digestate (organic fertilizer) in the future, and aims to be a global supplier of green energy including green hydrogen derivatives by biogas valorization. By 2030, the bio energy sector is estimated to create around 7 lakhs of jobs, boost clean exports, and position India as a renewable energy leader.