Introduced in October 2018 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative represented a significant milestone in India’s drive for eco-friendly energy options. The goal of the initiative was to create a system of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production facilities that would use organic waste to produce cleaner fuel, ultimately helping to make the transportation sector more environmentally friendly.
After six years, it is a good time to look back on SATAT’s development, influence, and contribution to India’s renewable fuel sector.
The early days of SATAT saw a wave of excitement from both business owners and investors who were eager to take advantage of the emerging CB industry. This led to the release of 4,090 Letters of Intent (LOIs) for setting up CBG plants, showing a significant interest in constructing production facilities nationwide. As of June 2022, 35 CBG plants had been successfully launched and were active, generating compressed biogas and aiding in the expansion of India’s energy sources.
However, the achievements made at the beginning only accounted for a tiny portion of the total goal of 5,000 plants expected to be reached by 2023-24, demonstrating the difficulties in turning initial interest into concrete results.
Even though the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas did not meet its original goal, it acknowledged the significance of SATAT in working towards a more sustainable energy future for India. The committee saw SATAT as an important move in developing local natural gas production to decrease the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
This method is in line with the overall goals of energy security, lower carbon emissions, and promoting a circular economy through the use of organic waste as a valuable resource. Additionally, the committee pointed out the opportunity for generating jobs and promoting economic growth in rural regions by setting up CBG plants near feedstock sources like farms and livestock operations.
One key goal of the SATAT initiative is to decrease India’s dependency on foreign fossil fuels and, as a result, lessen the environmental repercussions linked to their extraction, refining, and burning. Derived from organic waste, Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) contains over 95 percent methane and offers a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional fossil fuels. The initiative encourages responsible waste management practices by using agricultural residues, cattle dung, and municipal solid waste as feedstock for CBG production. This also aids in reducing carbon emissions that would otherwise be generated from the breakdown of these materials in landfills or from open burning. Research carried out by Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, found that India has the ability to generate 80,000 metric tonnes of compressed biogas every day. This text needs to be quoted exactly in order to provide a proper paraphrase.
The amount of CBG could potentially substitute 50 per cent of the diesel currently utilized in transportation, leading to a significant decrease in the country’s carbon footprint.
Moreover, the SATAT initiative closely syncs with India’s overarching goals in sustainable development and its pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. By advocating for the adoption of CBG in different industries such as transportation, the effort helps to significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, SATAT also promotes sustainable farming methods by creating bio-fertilizers like Fermented Organic Manure (FoM) during the production of CBG.
SATAT supports various Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by promoting a circular economy model that turns organic waste into valuable resources.
The SATAT initiative has provided a fertile environment for entrepreneurs to become key players in India’s growing green fuel sector. Leaders such as Gaurav Kedia, who is the Chairman of the Indian Biogas Association, have taken the lead in setting up large CBG plants and encouraging the increased use of biogas technology. They have proven that producing CBG is profitable and have been instrumental in promoting its advantages as an eco-friendly fuel source. Their hard work has successfully dispelled initial doubts and proven that incorporating biogas into India’s energy outlook is possible.
The increase in the biogas sector, encouraged by programs such as SATAT, has also led to a beneficial effect on job creation. As per the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the biogas sector in India generated approximately 85,000 employment opportunities in 2022. The job opportunities cover all parts of the biogas value chain, including collecting and processing feedstock, operating and maintaining CBG plants, and distributing and promoting CBG as a fuel.
Additionally, the introduction of CBG facilities in remote areas can create jobs for local residents, aiding in the growth of rural economies and decreasing the relocation of workers to cities for work. However, much more work still needs to be completed.
Although SATAT has achieved progress in its initial six years, it also encounters obstacles that must be overcome in order to fully achieve its potential. This involves optimizing the feedstock supply chain, guaranteeing funding for CBG projects, and creating effective market systems for CBG and its derivatives. The Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas has suggested various measures to tackle these issues, such as bringing back a Central Financial Assistance scheme for CBG projects, offering incentives based on generation, and creating a one-stop clearance system for approvals.
The SATAT initiative is a major milestone in India’s continued shift towards a more sustainable energy environment. Despite facing challenges, the progress achieved in the last six years shows the potential of CBG as a cleaner and more accessible fuel option. The project has demonstrated the possibility of incorporating CBG into India’s energy mix, opening the door for a future where transportation and other industries can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels imported from other countries.
Progressing ahead, tackling the current obstacles and putting into action the valuable suggestions offered by different stakeholders will be crucial in realizing the complete capacity of SATAT. Securing funding for CBG projects will be a significant obstacle, yet it will also guarantee a speed-up in their adaptation. This will greatly help us reach our green energy goals, decrease reliance on imported fossil fuels, and create a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.