In India, biogas from cow dung is emerging as a vital alternative to LPG amidst an energy crisis caused by the Iran war. Over 30 million tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are consumed annually in India, with more than half imported. Gauri Devi, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, uses biogas produced from cattle dung for cooking.
The Indian government has promoted biogas as a low-cost rural energy source since the 1980s. It has subsidized over five million digester units. Biogas provides a piped methane supply that allows users to rely less on LPG cylinders. The residual slurry from biogas production serves as nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Currently, biogas accounts for less than one percent of liquid gas used in India. The government aims for it to reach at least one percent by 2028. Biogas plants cost around INR25,000-30,000 ($265-$318) and are often subsidized by the government.
Key facts about biogas in India:
- India consumes more than 30 million tonnes of LPG annually.
- The government has subsidized over five million digester units since the 1980s.
- Biogas plants typically cost between INR25,000-30,000 ($265-$318).
- The residual slurry is used as nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Pritam Singh, a local farmer, remarked on the value of biogas: “The slurry is ‘black gold’.” He noted that interest in biogas has increased significantly. “People who earlier were not interested now ask how to get it,” he said.
Yet some challenges remain. Ramesh Kumar Singh expressed concern about land availability for biogas projects: “We don’t have land for it.” This sentiment reflects broader issues regarding resource access in rural areas.
In Zambia, similar initiatives using cattle dung for biogas production have emerged. The Nkhundye Community Cooperative serves about 100 households and plans to expand to 600 as part of a rural electrification strategy that includes decentralized energy technologies.
Methane leakage control is crucial for achieving net climate benefits from biogas recovery. Over 30% of observed methane leakage rates from combined heat and power systems exceed the net-zero threshold under current conditions.