Pilot Biomethanation Plant Launched in Solapur for Clean Energy Shift

28 May 2025 CW Team

The pilot marks a significant step in India’s decentralised bioenergy ecosystem, showcasing the THERMI-NIBE microbial consortium for digesting lignocellulosic and organic feedstocks like Napier grass, food/agro-waste, and municipal solids. This move supports scalable compressed biogas (CBG) production under the Government’s SATAT scheme.

Transforming SBESPL into a National Innovation Hub

SBESPL, previously focused on converting municipal waste into biogas and fertiliser, has evolved into a strategic demonstration platform for urban waste valorisation. With over a decade of success, the facility now integrates advanced microbial R&D to process complex biomass in real-world conditions. This project positions SBESPL as a frontrunner in future-ready biomethanation, contributing to India's energy transition and circular economy goals.

Key Project Objectives

1. Enhance digestion efficiency for hard-to-degrade biomass

2. Maximise biogas output from non-conventional feedstocks

3. Ensure operational stability and environmental sustainability

4. Prove readiness for commercial-scale deployment

To meet feedstock demand, ORSL has initiated large-scale cultivation of Napier grass, optimised for high-yield thermophilic digestion.

Leadership Insights and Strategic Intent

Mr. Yashas Bhand, CEO and Whole-Time Director of ORSL, highlighted the pilot as a milestone in scaling next-gen microbial technologies. “It lays the groundwork for a commercially viable and robust CBG model,” he said, citing its strategic role in informing future deployments.

Dr. Sachin Kumar, Deputy Director at SSS-NIBE, noted the project validates India’s ability to convert R&D into real-world clean energy solutions, calling it a benchmark for the country’s bioenergy security.

Dr. Manju Tanwar, Chief Scientist at ORSL, added that the project reflects the synergy of science and engineering in addressing India’s waste-to-energy needs.

Pathway to National Adoption
With successful commissioning and validation, the Solapur facility is now a national reference model for India’s biomethanation sector. The operational insights from this project will feed directly into the National Bioenergy Mission, supporting India’s ambitions for clean, self-reliant energy through sustainable biomass utilisation.

Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL), in collaboration with the Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has launched a pilot-scale SEED/Culture-based biomethanation facility at Solapur Bioenergy Systems Pvt Ltd (SBESPL). The initiative is aimed at validating indigenous microbial technologies for large-scale biogas production from urban and agro-industrial waste.The pilot marks a significant step in India’s decentralised bioenergy ecosystem, showcasing the THERMI-NIBE microbial consortium for digesting lignocellulosic and organic feedstocks like Napier grass, food/agro-waste, and municipal solids. This move supports scalable compressed biogas (CBG) production under the Government’s SATAT scheme.Transforming SBESPL into a National Innovation HubSBESPL, previously focused on converting municipal waste into biogas and fertiliser, has evolved into a strategic demonstration platform for urban waste valorisation. With over a decade of success, the facility now integrates advanced microbial R&D to process complex biomass in real-world conditions. This project positions SBESPL as a frontrunner in future-ready biomethanation, contributing to India's energy transition and circular economy goals.Key Project Objectives1. Enhance digestion efficiency for hard-to-degrade biomass2. Maximise biogas output from non-conventional feedstocks3. Ensure operational stability and environmental sustainability4. Prove readiness for commercial-scale deploymentTo meet feedstock demand, ORSL has initiated large-scale cultivation of Napier grass, optimised for high-yield thermophilic digestion.Leadership Insights and Strategic IntentMr. Yashas Bhand, CEO and Whole-Time Director of ORSL, highlighted the pilot as a milestone in scaling next-gen microbial technologies. “It lays the groundwork for a commercially viable and robust CBG model,” he said, citing its strategic role in informing future deployments.Dr. Sachin Kumar, Deputy Director at SSS-NIBE, noted the project validates India’s ability to convert R&D into real-world clean energy solutions, calling it a benchmark for the country’s bioenergy security. Dr. Manju Tanwar, Chief Scientist at ORSL, added that the project reflects the synergy of science and engineering in addressing India’s waste-to-energy needs. Pathway to National Adoption With successful commissioning and validation, the Solapur facility is now a national reference model for India’s biomethanation sector. The operational insights from this project will feed directly into the National Bioenergy Mission, supporting India’s ambitions for clean, self-reliant energy through sustainable biomass utilisation.

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..