Introduction
I am Dr. A. Sajidas, Managing Director of BIOTECH Renewable Energy, and an international consultant for biogas and sustainable development projects. Over the last several decades, I have dedicated my professional life to designing and promoting user-friendly biogas systems and other organic waste management solutions to address the pressing challenges of climate change, energy insecurity, and environmental degradation.
As the world confronts an energy crisis and ecological imbalance, it is essential to focus on renewable and inexhaustible energy sources—what we in India call Akshay Urja. Among all available options, biogas stands out as a holistic solution, not only as a source of clean energy but also as a method of responsible waste disposal, organic farming promotion, and local empowerment.
Understanding Akshay Urja
The term Akshay Urja refers to inexhaustible energy—natural energy sources that replenish themselves continually, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass.
These are sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, which are finite and environmentally destructive. In the context of India’s developmental journey, Akshay Urja represents both a technological shift and a philosophical commitment to living in harmony with nature.
Every year on August 20, India observes Akshay Urja Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, a leader who believed in the transformative power of science and technology. This day is a powerful reminder of our national responsibility to promote clean energy solutions that are accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.
Why Biogas Matters
Biogas is produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic waste—kitchen scraps, agricultural residues, animal dung, and more. The process releases a gas rich in methane, which can be used for cooking, heating, electricity generation, or even vehicle fuel. The by-product, a nutrient-rich slurry, is an excellent organic fertilizer, supporting sustainable agriculture and soil health.
Biogas is more than just an energy source—it is a tool for environmental restoration, circular economy, and energy self-reliance. It helps solve multiple problems simultaneously:
⇒ Reduces organic waste accumulation
⇒ Minimizes methane emissions from unmanaged waste
⇒ Substitutes for firewood and fossil fuels
⇒ Improves sanitation and hygiene
⇒ Empowers rural households with affordable energy
Biogas is a true embodiment of Akshay Urja, offering clean energy from waste, year after year, without polluting the environment.
BIOTECH India’s Role in the Biogas Movement
At BIOTECH India, our mission has always been to design, implement, and popularize biogas systems that are efficient, affordable, and adaptable to different environments. Since our inception in 1994, we have installed more than 30,000 biogas plants of various sizes and applications across India and abroad. These range from domestic kitchen-waste biogas units to institutional plants for hotels, markets, slaughterhouses, and housing colonies.
Our organization was among the first in India to introduce prefabricated floating-dome biogas plants, which are easy to install and maintain. These systems are not only effective but also suitable for urban and peri-urban applications, making biogas technology accessible beyond rural areas.
As Managing Director, I have always believed in bringing technology to the people—simplifying the complex, reducing costs, and focusing on awareness. Through continuous research, training programs, and technical support, we ensure that biogas becomes a lifestyle solution, not just an alternative energy source.
Biogas and Sustainable Development
Biogas plants contribute directly to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations:
SDG 7 : Affordable and Clean Energy – Providing clean, local, and reliable fuel to homes and communities.
SDG 13 : Climate Action – Reducing methane emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
SDG 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities – Managing waste and reducing urban pollution.
SDG 12 : Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting circular use of waste.
SDG 2 & 15 : Zero Hunger and Life on Land – Supporting organic farming with biogas slurry.
Every biogas plant installed is a step towards a cleaner, more equitable world. It is not just an energy project—it is a development project, a sanitation project, and a climate project.
Akshay Urja and Public Awareness
Despite the many advantages of renewable energy, public awareness and acceptance remain a challenge. Akshay Urja Day serves as an opportunity to educate citizens, institutions, and policymakers about the benefits of renewable sources like biogas. It is a time to reflect, share success stories, and inspire action.
At BIOTECH India, we observe this day with:
Awareness campaigns in schools and colleges
Demonstrations of biogas technology
Workshops for farmers and self-help groups
Public exhibitions showcasing renewable energy innovations
Our goal is to ensure that every Indian home, farm, and community recognizes the value of Akshay Urja—not just as a national mission, but as a personal responsibility.
Empowering Rural India
Biogas technology has a transformational impact on rural life. Traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and kerosene are hazardous to health and contribute to deforestation. In contrast, biogas provides smoke-free, efficient, and eco-friendly cooking fuel. It also reduces the burden on women, who often spend hours collecting firewood.
BIOTECH’s rural biogas programs have helped:
Reduce indoor air pollution
Save time and energy for women and children
Generate income through organic fertilizer sales
Promote sustainable farming practices
By training rural youth and women’s groups, we also create green livelihoods—jobs rooted in environmental sustainability.
Institutional and Urban Applications
While biogas is traditionally linked with rural use, BIOTECH has expanded its scope to urban institutions, local bodies, and industries. We have successfully installed biogas plants in:
Municipal markets and slaughterhouses
Hotels and restaurants
Hospitals and educational campuses
Apartment complexes and gated communities
These plants help institutions manage their organic waste on-site and convert it into clean energy. With proper planning and partnerships, biogas can become a vital part of urban waste management and energy strategy.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite the promising future, the biogas sector still faces challenges:
➣ Lack of awareness and misconceptions about technology
➣ High initial investment costs for some models
➣ Maintenance and Technical Support: Skilled personnel and reliable servicing are essential for long-term success.
➣ Need for better policy support and incentives
To overcome these, I propose the following steps:
⇒ Enhanced subsidies and financial mechanisms to make biogas affordable for all sectors.
⇒ Robust training and capacity building at the grassroots level.
⇒ Integration of biogas into urban planning and municipal waste management.
⇒ Incentivizing local entrepreneurs and youth to take up biogas as a business.
⇒ Research and innovation to improve efficiency, affordability, and adaptability.
Government support, NGO collaboration, and public participation are all vital. As a nation, we must treat biogas as a core component of our renewable energy strategy, not a side option.
A Call to Action
As we celebrate Akshay Urja Day, I appeal to individuals, families, institutions, and governments to adopt renewable energy, particularly biogas, as a conscious step toward sustainability. Let this day be more than a symbolic observance. Let it be a commitment—to reduce waste, conserve resources, and embrace energy sources that are truly Akshay—inexhaustible and eternal.
At BIOTECH India, we remain committed to empowering people through clean energy. We believe that the real power lies in community-driven, environmentally responsible solutions. With biogas, we can turn waste into wealth, problems into possibilities, and energy into empowerment.
Conclusion
Biogas is not just a solution—it is a revolution waiting to happen. A revolution in how we manage waste, generate energy, protect nature, and build livelihoods. Through the lens of Akshay Urja, biogas represents hope, innovation, and resilience.
On this Akshay Urja Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to a green, clean, and energy-secure future—for ourselves, for the next generation, and for the planet.
Let us build an India where every home glows with renewable energy, and every community thrives with sustainable practices.
Let biogas lead the way.