Biogas project under CDM
(Clean Development Mechanism)
The project at present (January 2011) is at the validation stage, having completed all the other processes and steps required for validation.
Objective of Bio-gas programme under CDM:
The twin objectives of this programme is a) to access carbon revenues through renewable energy of biogas and b) to save local trees and environment by constructing 15,000 biogas units for 15000 families in 15 mandals of Anantapur district with a unit capacity of 2 m3 for each family. The biogas units, which is renewable in nature will meet the cooking and water heating requirements of each participating family. Every family with 5 or 6 family members uses about 3.4-3.8 tons of firewood per year for their cooking and water heating requirements. One 2 m3 bio-gas unit is sufficient for cooking and water heating of a family of 5 or 6 members. The bio-gas units will not only save trees but also provide smoke- and pollution-free cooking. It has many benefits in general and particularly for women. This programme is very relevant and beneficial particularly to Anantapur district which is a semi-arid drought and poverty stricken region.
The investment, management and time scale
A biogas unit of 2 m3 will be constructed for each eligible and willing 15000 families. The cost of constructing a 2 m3 biogas unit is approx. Rs.13,000/-. Each biogas unit saves about 3.4-3.8 tons of firewood per year per family. Consequently each unit reduces approximately 3-3.5 tCO2 emissions also called Certified Emission Reductions (CER) per year. Carbon investors from developed countries would come forward to invest with forward funding for construction of these biogas units, so that they can trade under CDM with the CERs, generated by these bio-gas units.
At present the market rate per CER unit is approximately. Rs. 700/-. So the cost of 3 CER units generated by each biogas unit would be about Rs. 2100/- per year at present prices. So, each biogas unit would generate a carbon revenue of about Rs.2,100/- per year. The forward funder would recover the initial investment of Rs. 13000/- in about 7 years. However life of a good quality biogas unit would be about 25 years. So, from the eighth year onwards the unit holder will be able to sell the CERs at the then prices and earn a regular income for another 14 years or so.
AF Ecology Centre would be the project proponent for this biogas programme under the CDM. AF Ecology Centre is planning to take up this programme with about 15000 families covering 15 mandals and 216 gram panchayats. For each eligible and willing family a 2 m3 biogas unit will be constructed, which is sufficient for their cooking and water heating needs. Thereby each family will be able to save about 3.4-3.8 tons Kgs of fuel wood and corresponding trees. AF is planning to take up implementation in a phased manner of 5000 biogas units per year and 15000 in three years.
Expected benefits of this programme
This programme brings multiple and sustainable benefits economically, ecologically, socially and technically.
Family and Community health benefits
- The time and effort spent to collect fuel wood is saved and reduces the
stress and drudgery of women particularly. They can use the saved time and
effort for other needy activities.
- The time spent on cooking is less with biogas compared to fuel wood. And
the kitchen and utensils will not get blackened and stained. Time spent by
women on cleaning the utensils is reduced and the kitchen looks cleaner.
- Cooking with fuel wood is very uncomfortable with smoke pollution and is
an unwilling work for anybody. The family members particularly women,
children and the aged are plagued with diseases of eyes, respiratory system,
headache etc. Cooking on biogas ovens is without smoke pollution and
comfortable. This would add to the comfort and health of the family members,
particularly women and children.
- The gas required for cooking is generated at home and so women feel
worriless, happy and confident with regard to cooking.
- Dung and other waste around home and surroundings create foul smell,
breed various flies, mosquitoes, harmful bacteria leading to diseases like
diarrhea, worms etc., particularly for children. The biogas units consume
the dung and waste as raw material and keep the home and surroundings clean.
- The parents particularly women get more time to see their children go to
school.
- It would enhance the self-worth and respect of the family, particularly for women as their home is clean, surroundings are clean, their children are going to school etc.
Expected economic benefits
- The project will be implemented with no initial costs to the families.
- The CERs would bring to the family an additional income of over Rs.2,000
per year for about 14 years.
- The time and effort saved could be used for additional income generation
purposes.
- The construction and maintenance of biogas units generates additional
employment in rural areas.
- While constructing the biogas units, an additional Rs. 4.00 lakh on
average is added to each village the economy by constructing about 30 biogas
units in each of the project villages. And an additional carbon revenue
every year for 30 families.
- Biogas releases a very high quality bio-manure as its waste. It reduces
the cost spent on chemical fertilizers by the farmers and adds to the
sustainable production of crops without agro chemicals.
Expected environmental benefits
- Reduce deforestation and tree felling and improve the local ecology and
environment.
- Animal waste, farm waste and kitchen waste could be utilized for
producing energy and avoid pollution.
- High quality bio-manure would be generated as a by-product. It reduces
the use of agro-chemicals.
- The home and village surroundings will be clean and contribute to the community health.
Expected technical benefits
- Additional skilled employment will be generated in the villages, particularly for uneducated rural youth.
Project Areas - Please click to enlarge.
Click here to Project Design Document (PDD)
