Lahore to house one of country’s largest biogas plants

Lahore is set to become home to one of the country's largest biogas plants, marking a significant leap in sustainable energy and environmental initiatives.

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi laid the foundation stone for this monumental biogas project on Wednesday, heralding a new era for eco-friendly energy production in the region.

The biogas plant, located at Gujjar Colony, Rakh Chand Rai, Lahore, aims to generate an impressive 6,000 cubic meters of biogas. The chief minister has emphatically instructed the responsible authorities to expedite the construction process, with a commitment to complete the project ahead of schedule.

The estimated cost of the biogas plant stands at a substantial Rs350 million, promising an annual revenue of Rs80 million.

The government has outlined a plan to utilize the plant's earnings for the local area's development, ensuring that the benefits of this green initiative are channelled back into the community.

In a significant announcement during the foundation laying ceremony, Chief Minister Naqvi revealed plans for another biogas plant in Gujjarpura, located adjacent to the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT). He emphasized that this biogas facility in Rakh Chand Rai marks the first official-level biogas plant in Pakistan. The region is home to approximately 24,000 livestock, whose manure will be converted into gas and natural fertilisers.

This development is poised to greatly benefit the local population, with an anticipated daily production of 1,600 kg of fuel-grade gas and 16 tonnes of fertilisers.

The establishment of the biogas plant will also contribute to improved cleanliness and environmental conditions in the area.

Furthermore, Chief Minister Naqvi directed the Punjab Energy Department to prepare the PC-I for the Gujjarpura biogas plant, setting a completion deadline for both projects by April 30, 2024.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2023.