DW BUREAU / Chandigarh The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), Department of New & Renewable Energy Sources, on Monday exchanged the Implementation Agreements signed with M/S. EverEnviro Resource Management Private Limited, Mumbai, for setting up of 5 Compressed Biogas Projects based on paddy straw in the state in the presence of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, New & Renewable Energy Sources Minister Dr. Raj Kumar Verka and the Chairman PEDA H.S.Hanspal. The CEO PEDA Mr. Randhawa informed that these projects will be setup in Tehsils- Jagraon, Moga, Dhuri, Pattran and Phillaur. The company will setup these projects with private investment of about 500 crores, on Build, Operate & Own (BOO) basis under State NRSE Policy-2012. The total capacity of these projects is 222000 cum raw biogas per day which will be purified to get 92 ton BioCNG/CBG per day. Further, the Fermented Organic Manure will also be produced in these projects as byproduct which will enhance the fertility of agriculture land and will also replace the utilization of chemical fertilizer. These projects will start commercial production of BioCNG by December 2023 or earlier and will provide direct and indirect employment to about 7000 persons. Once operational these projects will consume about 3.5 lac ton of paddy straw annually, thus the farmers of the state will also be benefitted with the sale of agro waste to these projects from their field and the problem of stubble burning will also be mitigated significantly. The CEO, PEDA, further informed that PEDA has allotted 23 such projects of total capacity 263 ton BioCNG per day in the state to Private Developers on BOO basis including above said 5 projects. These projects will be completed by 2022-23 and 2023-24 with private investment of about Rs. 1300-1500 crore. About 35000 persons will be get direct/indirect employment in these projects. Once operational these projects will consume about 9 lac ton paddy straw annually. Likewise, One largest project of capacity 33.23 ton BioCNG per day being set up by M/s. Verbio India Private Limited, at village Bhuttal Kalan, Distt: Sangrur, will start commercial production by December 2021. About 1.25 lac ton paddy straw will be consumed in this project. M/s. EverEnviro Resource Management Private Limited has also submitted the request to PEDA for allotment of 5 more Bio-CNG projects in the state. The company has been asked by PEDA to submit Pre-feasibility Reports of these projects for further necessary action. Notably, M/s. EverEnviro Resource Management Private Limited is a 100% subsidiary of Green Growth Equity Fund, backed by National Infrastructure & Investment Fund, (GoI) and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Govt. of U.K. Among others present on the occasion included Principal Secretary, NRES, Govt. of Punjab KAP Sinha, IAS, Chief Executive Officer PEDA Sh. N.P.S. Randhawa, IAS and Deepak Aggarwal, Executive Director (Former Joint Secretary, GOI). (editor@dailyworld.in)