ADB, SAEL Industries partner to develop biomass energy in India

The loan agreement amounts to $91m.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and SAEL Industries Limited have signed a $91m loan agreement to develop biomass energy in India.

This will fund the construction of five 14.9 megawatt biomass power plants in the districts of Bikaner, Churu, Hanumangarh, Jhunjhunu, and Sikar in the state of Rajasthan.

“Establishing biomass power plants that can repurpose agricultural residue will help protect the environment while contributing to the government’s goal of expanding renewable energy sources and reducing carbon dioxide emissions,” ADB Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public–Private Partnerships Ashok Lavasa said.

“It will also help increase the income of local farmers through sales of agricultural residue and reduce the burning of agricultural waste, contributing to the improvement of air quality,” 

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ADB noted the power plants will convert about 650,000 tonnes of agricultural residues into electricity. 

The plants are expected to generate 544 gigawatt-hours of energy annually, which could help avoid up to 487,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.