Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a major bioenergy investment hub, with investment commitments and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth around ₹15,000 crore announced during the three-day India Bioenergy & Tech Expo (IBET) 2026. The investment commitments reflect growing investor confidence in the state’s renewable energy potential and are expected to strengthen India’s transition towards clean energy while creating new opportunities for rural employment and farmers’ incomes.
Organised by the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) in partnership with the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), the expo brought together policymakers, investors, technology companies, entrepreneurs and industry experts to discuss opportunities across compressed biogas (CBG), ethanol, biomass, biodiesel, bio-mobility, biomaterials and sustainable aviation fuel.
The final day of IBET 2026 focused on farmers and the potential of bioenergy to create additional income opportunities in rural areas. During the session titled “Fuelling Green Energy and Income Opportunities for Farmers”, policymakers, industry representatives and technology providers discussed ways to convert agricultural residues into clean energy while creating stronger revenue streams for farmers. Participants emphasised the need to strengthen feedstock supply chains, improve farmer-industry linkages and develop commercially viable rural business models.
During the event, Uttar Pradesh Energy and Additional Sources of Energy Minister AK Sharma highlighted the potential of compressed biogas (CBG) to increase farmers’ incomes, generate employment in villages and convert agricultural waste into valuable economic resources. The state government also reiterated its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and investors in the bioenergy sector.
Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said that around ₹3,500 crore has already been invested in the state’s CBG sector, generating nearly 25,000 jobs. He added that another 70–80 CBG plants are expected to be established across Uttar Pradesh, further strengthening the state’s bioenergy ecosystem.
The first two days of IBET 2026 featured discussions on India’s bioenergy roadmap, Uttar Pradesh’s growing role as a green-energy investment destination and the potential of CBG to transform agricultural waste into wealth. AK Sharma, Surya Pratap Shahi and Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Energy and Additional Sources of Energy Kailash Singh Rajput, along with senior Central and state government officials, participated in the event.
Sanjay Ganjoo, Director General of IFGE, said India’s bioenergy sector is moving beyond policy ambitions towards large-scale investment and enterprise opportunities. He highlighted the importance of scaling up projects, strengthening feedstock supply chains, integrating farmers into the bioenergy value chain and developing bankable business models. According to him, the sector can simultaneously support India’s energy security, reduce waste, create rural employment and provide farmers with additional sources of income.
The ₹15,000 crore investment commitments at IBET 2026 underline the growing importance of bioenergy in Uttar Pradesh’s renewable energy strategy. With significant investments already flowing into CBG and several new plants expected, the state is positioning itself as an important centre for bioenergy, waste-to-energy and rural green-economy development.
