India’s clean energy transition is creating new opportunities across renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy. Among the sectors gaining increasing attention is biomass, a resource that has the potential to address multiple national challenges at once, from agricultural waste management and rural livelihoods to energy security and carbon reduction.
At the forefront of this transformation is Lt. Col. Monish Ahuja (Retd.), Founder and Managing Director of Punjab Renewable Energy Systems Private Limited (PRESPL). A former Indian Army officer, Ahuja has spent more than a decade building organised biomass supply chains that connect farmers, industries, and clean energy projects, helping transform agricultural residue from a disposal challenge into a valuable economic resource.
From Army Leadership to Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship
After serving in the Indian Army, Ahuja sought an opportunity to create long-term impact beyond military service. During his exploration of India’s renewable energy landscape, he identified a major gap: the absence of organised biomass supply chains capable of connecting agricultural residue with industrial and energy applications.
That realisation led to the establishment of PRESPL in 2011. What started as an effort to organise biomass collection and aggregation has since evolved into one of India’s leading biomass supply chain enterprises.
Today, biomass is increasingly being recognised not merely as agricultural waste but as an important resource capable of supporting India’s clean energy ambitions while creating additional income opportunities for farmers.
Why Biomass Is Becoming Important for India’s Energy Future
India produces enormous quantities of agricultural residue every year. While some of it is used productively, a significant portion often remains underutilised. Industry experts believe biomass offers a practical solution because it simultaneously addresses waste management, renewable energy generation, rural employment, and industrial decarbonisation.
As India works towards its Net Zero commitments, biomass is emerging as a valuable complement to solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources. It supports the development of bio-CNG, second-generation biofuels, biomass-based thermal energy, and several other clean energy applications.
The sector is also attracting increased policy attention through initiatives aimed at promoting bioenergy adoption and sustainable resource utilisation.
Building a Reliable Biomass Supply Chain
One of the biggest challenges in scaling the biomass sector has been the development of reliable collection, aggregation, transportation, and storage networks.
Over the years, companies such as PRESPL have focused on creating organised supply chains that improve efficiency while ensuring dependable feedstock availability for clean energy projects. This approach not only strengthens the renewable energy ecosystem but also creates economic opportunities in rural areas.
The organised biomass value chain now plays an increasingly important role in supporting industries seeking cleaner fuel alternatives and sustainable resource management solutions.
The Growing Potential of Bio-CNG and the Circular Economy
Industry stakeholders believe India’s biomass sector is entering a new phase of growth. The expansion of bio-CNG projects, growing policy support, technological advancements, and increasing corporate focus on sustainability are creating fresh opportunities across the value chain.
Biomass also fits naturally into the concept of a circular economy. Instead of treating agricultural residue as waste, it can be transformed into energy and industrial inputs that create both environmental and economic value.
For farmers, this means additional income streams. For industries, it provides cleaner alternatives to conventional fuels. For the country, it contributes to energy security and emissions reduction.
A Sector Poised for Long-Term Growth
As India accelerates its clean energy transition, biomass is expected to play a larger role in supporting sustainable development goals. Industry leaders believe stronger policy implementation, improved infrastructure, and greater private sector participation can help unlock the sector’s full potential.
The journey of entrepreneurs like Lt. Col. Monish Ahuja demonstrates how innovation, logistics, and long-term vision can transform a complex challenge into a scalable business opportunity. More importantly, it highlights how the biomass sector can contribute to India’s broader economic and environmental objectives.
Read the Full Exclusive Interview
This article highlights only a few key insights from our conversation with Lt. Col. Monish Ahuja (Retd.).
In the full exclusive interview published in the June 2026 edition of Bureaucracy India, he shares detailed perspectives on building India’s biomass supply chains, the future of bio-CNG, government policy support, opportunities for MSMEs, Net Zero ambitions, eco-cremation initiatives, and his roadmap for positioning India as a global leader in the bioeconomy.
Read the complete interview in Bureaucracy India – June 2026 Issue.