R. K. Singh, Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy unveiled the compendium of the "National Bio Energy Programme" and launched the Biourja and Biogas portals during National Bio Energy Programme organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in partnership with UNIDO and GEF, as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (AKAM).

In his inaugural address, R. K. Singh enumerated the importance of Bioenergy for providing clean cooking through biogas, co-firing in thermal power plants by utilizing biomass pellets and briquettes and BioCNG for transport.

He emphasized that the benefits of utilization of surplus biomass should reach the rural household by way of an additional source of income for farmers.

Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary, MNRE stressed the need for Bioenergy promotion not only because of its energy potential but also the large socio-economic benefits associated with it.

During the seminar, salient features of the National Bioenergy Programme and its implementation mechanism were discussed. Issues related to the financing of Bioenergy projects, the resource potential of biomass and waste in India along with the socio-economic benefits of the Bioenergy sector were dwelled upon.

The seminar saw representation from the industry, project developers, state implementing agencies, financial institutions and officials of various stakeholder ministries of the Government of India.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India has continued the National Bioenergy Programme for the period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26. The Programme has been recommended for implementation in two Phases. The Phase-I of the Programme has been approved with a budget outlay of Rs. 858 crores.

The National Bioenergy Programme will comprise the following sub-schemes: Waste to Energy Programme (Programme on Energy from Urban, Industrial and Agricultural Wastes /Residues) to support the setting up of large Biogas, BioCNG and Power plants (excluding MSW to Power projects); Biomass Programme (Scheme to Support Manufacturing of Briquettes & Pellets and Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration in Industries) to support setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation and non-bagasse based power generation projects; and Biogas Programme to support setting up of family and medium size Biogas in rural areas.

To utilize huge surplus biomass, cattle dung, and industrial and urban biowaste available in the country for recovery of energy, the MNRE has been promoting bioenergy in India since the 1980s. One major support extended by MNRE has been Central Financial Assistance provided for setting up of Bioenergy projects such as Biogas, BioCNG, and power from urban, industrial and agricultural waste/residues for reducing their capital cost/interest on loans, therefore, increasing project viability.