Large-Scale Diffusion of Biomass Thermal Gasifiers in India

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of the Indian economy. However, MSMEs are going through a turbulent phase due to overall sluggishness in the economy and rising input energy costs. In the current energy-supply scenario, energy pricing and enforcement of pollution norms for MSMEs have created a favorable environment for rapid acceptance of biomass energy-based clean energy technologies as a potential option for replacing fossil fuels in MSMEs. This paper presents insight and analysis of the experience of promoting diffusion of biomass thermal gasifiers in MSMEs across India as a clean energy technology solution and way forward for scaling-up, based on a partnership initiated in 1994 by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). It is recommended that there is a need for a framework for a holistic energy policy for the MSME sector to strengthen and mobilize stakeholders, such as industry associations and industries’ district centers, and a model for dissemination that takes a cluster service approach.