Telangana generates electricity from vegetable waste

The Bowenpally Vegetable Market has caught prime minister Narendra Modi’s attention for its innovative waste management system. Modi praised the one-of-its-kind bioelectricity, biofuel, and bio-manure generation project during one of Mann Ki Baat episodes. Stating that the market’s waste is now being turned into wealth, Modi said, “We have observed that in sabzi mandis, vegetables rot due to multiple reasons, spreading unhygienic conditions. However, traders at Hyderabad’s Bowenpally Sabzi Mandi decided to produce electricity out of waste vegetables. This is the power of innovation.”

A few years ago, generating electricity from vegetable waste would have been a far-fetched idea, but not anymore. Hyderabad’s Bowenpally Vegetable Market has turned this into reality. Nearly ten tons of waste is collected every day in the market, which earlier used to end up in landfills, but is now the major source of electricity for the vegetable market.

Srinivas, secretary, Bowenpally’s vegetable market, highlighted, "Every ounce of vegetable and fruit waste collected from this market is used to generate around 500 units of electricity and 30 kg of biofuel. The electricity generated provides electricity to streetlights, 170 stalls, an administration building, and the water supply network. Meanwhile, the biofuel produced is pumped to the market's commercial kitchen. The Biogas plant is now called the 'path to a sustainable future'. The canteen in the market is being run by the electricity generated through the plant established. The market yard requires 650-700 units of power and about 7-8 tons of vegetable waste generated to produce 400 units of electricity on average. As a result, the marketplace is also kept clean and pollution free. Various international delegates have also visited the plant and appreciated our efforts."

Bowenpally’s waste-to-energy plant generates employment for women by providing opportunities for them to work in various roles, such as sorting and segregating waste, operating machinery, and managing administrative tasks. This plant offers women workers a steady income along with an opportunity for skill development.

According to Bowenpally market officials, on average, 10 tons of waste is generated per day. This waste has the potential to generate approximately 6,290 kg of CO2 per annum, which could be more damaging to the environment. To address this issue, Bowenpally vegetable market officials decided to turn this waste into energy.