Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and GPS Renewables Pvt Ltd have formally entered into a joint venture agreement to establish Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants across India. The partnership, first announced in September 2024, marks a strategic step in BPCL’s pursuit of Net Zero goals and supports India's transition towards cleaner energy. The agreement was signed by Shri Sameet Pai, Head (Corporate Strategy), BPCL and Shri Mainak Chakraborty, CEO & Co-Founder, GPS Renewables, in the presence of senior BPCL officials including Shri Sanjay Khanna, Director (Refineries) and Shri Raj Kumar Dubey, Director (HR). The joint venture will focus on converting organic biomass waste into CBG using advanced waste-to-energy technologies. The initiative aims to tackle environmental challenges such as agricultural residue management, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and rural development. By creating a structured value chain for agri-residue procurement, it also seeks to provide additional income opportunities for farmers. In its initial phase, the JV plans to set up 8 to 10 CBG plants in states with high agri-biomass potential—Bihar, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. These locations align with BPCL’s city gas distribution network, ensuring reduced logistics costs and improved operational efficiency. This collaboration aligns with national programs like the GOBARdhan initiative, the SATAT scheme, and the CBG Blending Obligation (CBO), all of which promote clean, renewable energy and sustainable rural development. It also aims to enhance India’s energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. The JV represents a growing trend of public-private partnerships focused on sustainable energy development in India, combining BPCL’s infrastructure and GPS Renewables’ expertise in biofuel technology. (BSE)