Clarke Energy, part of the Rehlko group, has brought online its first biogas upgrading facility in India using advanced membrane technology—a major step forward in India’s push for cleaner energy solutions. The new plant, situated at the anaerobic digestion site of Srinivas Waste Management Services (SWMS) in Chetpet, Chennai, transforms organic municipal waste into high-purity renewable gas.
The project’s completion aligns with the current UK-India trade mission, highlighting three decades of Clarke Energy’s presence in the region. With nearly 2 GW of installed low-carbon and renewable power systems across India and Bangladesh, the company continues to be a key player in UK-India commercial and energy collaboration.
At the SWMS facility, biodegradable food waste from surrounding communities is processed into biogas and nutrient-rich compost, contributing to both local sustainability and national environmental goals.
This installation supports India’s SATAT program, which aims to establish 5,000 compressed biogas (CBG) plants across the country. Clarke Energy’s system uses membrane separation to upgrade 600 Nm³/hr of raw biogas into clean biomethane—demonstrating a scalable, efficient, and locally sourced solution for meeting the nation’s renewable fuel ambitions.
Replacing older pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology, the new membrane system includes a biogas dryer, scrubber, compressor, dual-stage membrane unit, and all necessary controls and piping. Most of the equipment was sourced from Indian manufacturers, helping ensure faster deployment and reducing environmental impact.
Early operational results show strong performance, with methane purity levels surpassing 97.4% even under partial load, while also minimizing methane loss during processing.
“This is the first biogas upgrading solution we’ve fully designed, built, and commissioned in India,” said Kyle Quinn, President of Clarke Energy. “It’s a major achievement that shows how we’re blending global know-how with local delivery to support India’s energy transition with reliable, high-efficiency systems.”
Unlike traditional PSA systems, the membrane-based design achieves greater methane recovery, lower maintenance demands, and modular scalability—well-suited for cities converting waste to fuel.
The project also reflects Rehlko’s strategy of building regionally focused, sustainable infrastructure. Through Clarke Energy and other portfolio companies, Rehlko continues to back clean technology and circular economy innovations that are tailored to local needs.
Clarke Energy, a Rehlko company, specializes in the design, engineering, installation, and long-term maintenance of distributed energy systems. With proven expertise in renewable gas solutions such as biogas combined heat and power (CHP), biogas upgrading, and battery storage, the company supports industrial decarbonization across the globe.
Clarke Energy has installed more than 1.4 GW of biogas CHP capacity worldwide and is growing its presence in the biogas upgrading sector in India, France, and the U.S. It also offers full-cycle solutions including CO₂ recovery and hydrogen technologies to enable cleaner industrial processes and promote a circular energy economy.
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Chennai, Srinivas Waste Management Services is a key player in South India’s integrated waste management landscape. The company handles waste across the entire chain—from collection and transport to processing, recycling, and final disposal. Its 100-tonne-per-day Bio-CNG facility was South India’s first at-scale operation converting organic waste into clean compressed biogas, driving forward both local sustainability and national clean energy targets.
Rehlko is a global leader in energy innovation, providing sustainable power solutions through a diverse portfolio including Power Systems, Home Energy, Kohler Uninterruptible Power, Clarke Energy, and Engines. With a legacy of over 100 years, Rehlko focuses on delivering resilient, adaptable energy infrastructure that supports communities, industries, and homes when traditional power systems fall short.
