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.

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