Bio-energy sector depends on sustainable technologies: KSBDB chairman

Mysuru: Bio-energy sector development depends on ‘sustainable technologies’, Chairman of Karnataka State Bioenergy Development Board (KSBDB) S E Sudheendra said.

He was speaking during the ‘International Conclave on Sustainable Technologies’, organised by the Mysuru-based National Institute of Engineering, Germany-based Fachhochschule Dortmund - University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and Mysuru branch of Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI), in Mysuru, on Wednesday.

Sudheendra, in his inaugural address, emphasised that Karnataka is the first state in the country which has designed, developed and implemented the Karnataka Biofuel Policy - 2009.

He categorically mentioned that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has prioritised the development of sustainability in all sectors of manufacturing, social and economic services. “Sustainable development will create social harmony and peace in the society. The bio-energy sector in Karnataka will experience tremendous changes in a few months. The board has taken several initiatives and is striving towards a conducive atmosphere for the growth of the biofuel sector,” Sudheendra said.

“The bio-energy sector, especially in the field of bio-briquettes, pellets, biodiesel, 2G ethanol, compressed biogas, and green hydrogen, envisages an investment of more than $1 lakh billion. The Karnataka government had organised Invest Karnataka ‘Global Investors Summit 2025’, and the board showcased all its activities, implemented so far, and its future plans,” he said.

The chairman of KSBDB narrated the initiatives taken by him to visit various states and countries and elaborated on his interaction with next policy makers, subject experts, techno-commercial managers, etc., to bring a new dimension to the entire value chain of biofuels in Karnataka. “The options are kept open to attract investors for scaling up and commercialisation activities of the biofuel sector,” he added.

He added that a high-level meeting is organised this week, under the chairmanship of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and ITBT Minister Priyank Kharge, with subject experts, policy-makers, and techno-commercial managers, working in this field to get their inputs. “Its aim is to bring momentum for the development of the entire value chain of biofuels in Karnataka,” Sudheendra added.

The chairman interacted with the students and appreciated those who had exhibited 17 sustainability factors. He inaugurated the biofuel stall, where all bioenergy products were displayed. Managing Director of KSBDB L Shiv Shankar, DCF B R Lohith, project consultant G N Dayananda and Shyam Sunder were present.