Gujarat Campus leads green shift with biogas-powered kitchens

In a notable example of sustainable innovation amid ongoing energy concerns, an educational campus in Gujarat has successfully transitioned to biogas for its daily cooking needs, completely eliminating dependence on LPG cylinders.

The Shrimati Manekba Vinay Vihar Educational Complex in Gandhinagar now prepares over 500 meals daily using biogas generated on-site. Meals are cooked twice a day for around 250 students , while nearly 15 families residing on campus also rely on the same fuel for their cooking requirements.

The campus operates two biogas plants , each with a capacity of 45 cubic metres , producing a combined 90 cubic metres of biogas per day . Officials noted that without these plants, the institution would have required approximately 30 LPG cylinders per month , a need that has now been entirely eliminated.

The initiative has been implemented under the Gujarat Energy Development Agency’s Institutional Biogas Plant Scheme , which supports institutions in setting up biogas units of varying capacities. According to campus manager Rahul Patel , the institution has achieved complete self-reliance in cooking gas , significantly reducing both costs and environmental impact.

With access to nearly 220 cows , the campus generates ample dung to sustain biogas production. The by-product slurry is utilised as organic fertiliser , supporting chemical-free farming within the campus and creating a closed-loop sustainable ecosystem.

Officials said the scheme has gained traction across the state, with 193 biogas plants installed over the past five years under initiatives such as the National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) and support from the GOBAR-Dhan Scheme , collectively producing 13,955 cubic metres of gas per day. For the financial year 2026-27, the state government has allocated ₹12 crore to expand the initiative and plans to establish around 60 additional plants.

As institutions and governments grapple with rising fuel costs and environmental challenges, this model offers a scalable and eco-friendly alternative , demonstrating how renewable energy solutions can ensure both sustainability and self-sufficiency.