NTPC Pakri Barwadih Coal Mining Project has set up Bio-Methane Plant at its Sikri site premises. The energy generated from this plant will be used for cooking in the canteen located on the project premises. With this plant, the consumption of LPG used in the restaurant will be reduced, expenses will be reduced and the waste around the premises can be used for energy generation. Project General Manager Prashant Srivastava said, Biogas is such a source of energy, which can be used again and again. Biogas, like solar energy and wind energy, is a renewable energy source.“It is a mixture of gases that results from the decomposition of organic material in the absence of oxygen. Its main component is methane, which is flammable, which when burned gives heat and energy”, he added.At the same time, Additional General Manager, Environment Department, Mr Birendra Kumar said that energy is the biggest crisis in the world and especially in rural areas of India where deforestation is increasing and the availability of fuel has reduced. Further, he added, “This gas caters to the supply of energy for cooking and lighting, especially in rural areas. Also, biogas technology provides high-quality manure after anaerobic digestion which is much better than normal fertilizer. Ecological balance can be achieved through this technique.” The biogas is produced by a biochemical process, under which certain types of bacteria convert organic waste into useful biogas. This gas is called organic gas or biogas because it is produced by a biological process.

Advantages of Biogas Production - Its use does not cause pollution i.e. it is good for the environment. Raw materials are required for the production of this gas and they are found in abundance in the villages. Along with the production of biogas, manure is also available, which increases the yield of crops. In villages, there is a problem of smoke due to the use of cow dung and wood, whereas there is no such problem with biogas.It also controls pollution, because dung does not lie in the open, due to which germs and mosquitoes do not breed.Biogas saves wood so that there is no need to cut trees.Biogas can be used to convert energy into electricity and heat in gas engines.