Can biogas aid India’s energy security?
India is attempting to bolster its energy security by promoting compressed biogas as an alternative to imported fossil fuels. Despite government initiatives like GOBARdhan and SATAT, progress remains slow due to infrastructure gaps and high investment costs.
Why it matters
Reducing reliance on imported energy is critical for India's economic stability, especially given the volatility of energy markets in West Asia.
Tensions in West Asia continue to keep global energy markets on edge. India imports nearly 85% of its crude oil needs, much of it from West Asia, and supplies faced disruptions due to the Israel-U.S.-Iran war. While the government has diversified its crude oil suppliers, around 90% of India’s LPG imports still transit through the Strait of Hormuz, making any instability in the region a potential risk to India’s energy security.
Over the years, India has pushed several initiatives to promote alternate fuels like compressed biogas to reduce dependence on imported fuel, tackle agricultural waste and support rural incomes. But despite ambitious targets and policy support, progress has remained limited.
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