In India, biogas from cow dung is emerging as a vital alternative to LPG amidst an energy crisis caused by the Iran war. Gauri Devi, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, uses biogas produced from cattle dung for cooking. This shift comes as India faces challenges in meeting its annual consumption of over 30 million tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with more than half of its needs being imported.
The Indian government has supported biogas as a low-cost rural energy source since the 1980s. Over five million digester units have received subsidies. Biogas production not only provides a piped methane supply but also reduces reliance on LPG cylinders.
The residual slurry from this process serves as nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Pritam Singh, a local farmer, refers to it as “black gold.” He adds that people who previously showed no interest are now asking how to obtain biogas systems.
India aims for biogas to account for at least one percent of liquid gas used by 2028. Biogas plants typically cost around INR25,000-30,000 ($265-$318) and are often subsidized by the government.
Key statistics:
- India consumes over 30 million tonnes of LPG annually.
- More than 5 million digester units have been subsidized since the 1980s.
- Biogas must account for at least 1% of liquid gas used by 2028.
As of March 2026, similar initiatives are underway in Zambia. The Nkhundye Community Cooperative uses cattle dung for biogas production, serving about 100 households with plans to expand to 600 as part of a rural electrification strategy.
However, methane leakage control remains crucial for achieving net climate benefits from biogas recovery. Reports indicate that over 30% of observed methane leakage rates from combined heat and power systems exceed the net-zero threshold under current conditions.
Ramesh Kumar Singh expressed concerns about land availability for biogas plants. Despite this, the interest in renewable energy sources like biogas is growing rapidly across rural India.
