The Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex, one of Asia’s largest, was established by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to alleviate congestion in Chennai’s central business district and facilitate trading in perishable items like vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Spanning 60 acres with excellent infrastructure, it attracts numerous traders and consumers, but also generates a significant amount of organic waste—up to 100 tonnes daily. Previously, this waste was transported to the Kodungaiyur dumpsite, posing environmental and public health risks due to decomposition and greenhouse gas emissions.
To address these issues, the CMDA initiated a biogas project. Utilizing a ISL G engine capable of running on biogas, the project significantly reduces transportation costs. Estimated savings are around Rs. 13,00,000 annually, with further reductions in vehicle maintenance, driver fees, and other related costs, potentially exceeding Rs. 20,00,000 per year. Moreover, the project results in substantial electricity cost savings.
The biogas plant, commissioned in late 2005, processes about 30 tonnes of organic waste daily, producing 250 kilowatts of power per hour. Approximately 40% of this power is used to operate the plant, with the surplus supplied to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The project also generates about 10 tonnes of dewatered cake daily, which is sold or used as manure, providing an additional revenue stream.
Despite the project’s success, there are areas for improvement. Currently, waste is transported to the plant site, requiring diesel or petrol. Establishing the plant adjacent to the market or using biogas trucks would further enhance sustainability. The project’s total cost was around Rs. 5.00 crore (US$805,801), but it has yielded significant benefits: avoiding fuel expenses, generating employment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80%, and maintaining cleanliness in the market premises.
Overall, the Koyambedu Market Biogas Project demonstrates a successful model for waste-to-energy conversion, showcasing how large market complexes can adopt high-rate biomethanation technology to generate electricity and promote environmental sustainability.
Source: https://www.pluginindia.com/koyambedumarketproject.html