India turns to biogas as LPG shortages spark a rural energy revolution
India is pushing for a major shift toward biogas as cooking gas shortages leave many struggling. The government now demands that biogas make up at least one percent of all liquid gas used in homes and vehicles by 2028. With long queues for traditional LPG cylinders, more households are turning to alternative energy sources like methane from cow dung. For decades, India has promoted biogas as a cheap and sustainable energy option for rural areas. Since the 1980s, over five million small 'digester' units have been subsidised across the country. Yet recent supply disruptions—linked to global tensions like the Iran conflict—have made LPG harder to access, reigniting interest in biogas.
In Nekpur, Uttar Pradesh, Gauri Devi relies on a biogas system that pipes methane directly to her kitchen. She only keeps an LPG cylinder for emergencies or when cooking for large groups. Nearby, farmer Pramod Singh upgraded to a larger biogas unit in 2025, fuelled by 30-45 kilogrammes of dung daily from his four cows—enough to power a household of six. The government insists there is no LPG shortage, blaming delays and black-market resellers for the queues. To cut reliance on imports—over half of India’s 30 million tonnes of annual LPG use comes from abroad—dozens of large-scale biogas plants are now planned. Small rural producers are also expanding, as more people ask how to switch after seeing biogas in action.
The push for biogas comes as India seeks to ease pressure on LPG supplies and reduce import costs. With new plants under development and rural adoption growing, the shift could reshape how millions cook and fuel their vehicles. The 2028 target marks a clear step toward making biogas a mainstream energy source.
