Kochi launches trial run of biogas plant to convert 150 tonnes of food waste to gas | WATCH
Kochi: The city of Kochi has initiated a trial run for its newly constructed compressed biogas (CBG) plant in Brahmapuram, aimed at converting 150 tonnes of food waste into gas. The first phase of the plant, which includes one of the two bio-digesters, is now operational, with the second bio-digester expected to be completed soon.
To kickstart the trial, cow dung has been fed into the bio-digester for the past two days. By the end of April, the plant will start processing food waste, leading to gas production. The produced biogas will be transported to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) through a special pipeline.
BPCL was given10 acres of land belonging to the Kochi Municipality free of cost for the construction of the plant. This land is adjacent to the land acquired by BPCL from Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT). The necessary construction permits were swiftly secured through a single-window clearance process. The project, announced in November 2023, began construction in March 2024. Although the construction was planned to take 18 months, it was finished six months earlier than expected, with a total cost of approximately ₹80 crore.
Initially, BPCL had proposed a ₹25 crore CSR investment for a windrow compost plant following a request from the Kochi Mayor. However, after government intervention, the plan was revised to construct the new CBG plant at a significantly larger scale.
Two new bio-segregation facilities (BSF) have been completed and are now operational in Brahmapuram to process organic waste. The municipality's initiative to scientifically process 300 tonnes of food waste daily in Brahmapuram is nearing completion. Once fully implemented, this project is expected to provide a long-term solution to the waste management challenges faced by Kochi city and its neighbouring municipalities and panchayats.