The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has updated guidelines for its Biomass and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) programmes under Phase-I of the National Bioenergy Programme, linking subsidies to plant performance.

Effective from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26, the revised biomass norms ease documentation, remove SCADA requirements, and allow IoT-based monitoring. Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is now tied to operational efficiency—plants above 80% receive full support; others get pro-rata aid. For WtE projects, 50% CFA is released post-Consent to Operate, with the balance granted after reaching 80% capacity. Projects below 50% efficiency receive no subsidy. Joint inspections will now be conducted by the National Institute of Bio-Energy with only one inspection required for non-advance CFA seekers. Developers have an 18-month subsidy claim window post-commissioning or approval. These reforms aim to boost bioenergy adoption, improve agricultural residue management, and streamline renewable energy deployment with a performance-focused approach.