In a major development aimed at strengthening India’s green energy ecosystem, the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd. (NFCSF) and the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote sugarcane-based bioenergy solutions across the country.
The MoU was signed by Prakash Naiknavare, MD of NFCSF, and Atul Mulay, Chairman of IFGE’s BioEnergy Committee and President (Bio Energy) at Praj Industries. The signing ceremony took place during the curtain raiser event of the India Bio-Energy & Tech Expo on 23rd April 2025 in New Delhi.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways; Harshvardhan Patil, President of NFCSF; Ravi Gupta, Chairperson of IFGE Sugar & BioEnergy Forum and Executive Director of Shree Renuka Sugars Ltd.; and Sanjay Ganjoo, Director General of IFGE.
This collaboration is designed to drive innovation, facilitate policy advocacy, and encourage the adoption of green energy practices, leveraging the combined expertise and networks of both organizations. NFCSF brings extensive experience from the cooperative sugar sector, while IFGE serves as a vital platform to expand green energy initiatives across multiple industries.
As per the agreement, NFCSF will provide its specialized knowledge regarding the utilization of sugarcane and its by-products for bioenergy production. It will also offer access to research resources and support joint promotional and policy activities.
On its part, IFGE will focus on actively promoting sugarcane-based green energy initiatives both domestically and internationally. It will collaborate with NFCSF to host knowledge-sharing workshops, seminars, and events to enhance stakeholder engagement with policymakers and industrial leaders.
Additionally, the two organizations will jointly represent their interests to government bodies, ensuring cohesive advocacy for green energy policies. Specific project collaborations will be determined on a case-by-case basis, allowing flexibility to tailor initiatives to various requirements.
This partnership signifies a crucial step in aligning India’s traditional sugar industry with its dynamic renewable energy goals. It is expected to help transition the sugar sector towards sustainability by expanding the role of sugarcane not just as a food crop but as a critical resource for bioenergy.
By integrating cooperative strength with green innovation, NFCSF and IFGE aim to contribute significantly to India’s pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
The initiative comes at a time when India is aggressively working toward energy diversification and meeting its climate commitments, making such collaborations key to achieving national objectives.