In yet another move aimed at making productive use of crop residue and preventing stubble burning as desired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) under the guidance of New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr Aman Arora signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GAIL (India) Limited on Monday, paving a way for setting up of 10 Compressed Biogas Projects and other New and Renewable Energy Projects in the State.
The MoU was signed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PEDA Dr Amarpal Singh and Executive Director (Business Development & E&P) of GAIL (India) Mr. RK Singhal in the presence of Secretary New and Renewable Energy Sources Dr. Ravi Bhagat.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann congratulated GAIL (India) Ltd. and PEDA for signing this MOU for setting up 10 CBG Projects. He also asked PEDA to provide fullsome support and cooperation to GAIL.Mr Aman Arora said that the pact will help the state to manage 5 Lakh tons of paddy straw per annum and generate clean energy out of it.
Punjab is an agrarian state and it has immense potential for crop residue based CBG plants, he said, while adding that the Punjab Government’s business-friendly policies are helping in facilitating MNCs to set up their industries in the state.
Secretary NRES Dr. Ravi Bhagat said that with the implementation of these 10 projects, at least three lakh ton paddy straw in around 1.25 lac acres is expected to be prevented from being burnt. These projects will also create around 50 rural entrepreneurs for the supply of paddy straw to these plants, further generating employment for over 500 persons by these rural entrepreneurs, he added.
CEO Dr Amarpal Singh informed that the CBG produced from these projects will generate direct employment to more than 250 persons and indirect employment of about 600. These projects will also prevent stubble burning in about 1.25 lakh acres. He further informed that PEDA will facilitate GAIL for land locations and statutory clearances.
Executive Director of GAIL India Mr RK Singhal said that they will develop projects in the field of New and Renewable Energy Sources. GAIL (India) Limited will be initially setting up 10 Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects with an investment of about Rs 600 crores producing 35000 tons of Biogas (CBG) and about 8700 tons of organic manure annually.
These projects will create around 100 rural entrepreneurs for the supply of paddy straw to these plants. The possibility to establish other New and Renewable Energy Projects in the state will be explored, he added.Director PEDA Mr MP Singh, GM Marketing GAIL Mr Akash and Deputy GM GAIL Mr KJ Singh were also present on the occasion.