Rural biogas development and subsidy policies in 2015

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Since 2003, the central government has provided strong support for the development of biogas systems in rural areas, with the scale of investment and the range of areas supported continuing to expand. In 2010, the central government invested 5.2 billion yuan to assist in the establishment of such biogas systems, resulting in an additional 3.2 million users; more than 1,000 large and medium-sized biogas projects were established during that period. Continue to strengthen the development of the biogas service system, advance initiatives to improve subsequent service management, focus on increasing the utilization rate of biogas as well as that of the \"three types of biogas products,\" and promote the scaling up and improvement of rural biogas development. In 2011, **continued support will be provided for the development of rural biogas; efforts will be made to bring the number of households using rural biogas to 43.25 million by the end of the year, an increase of 3.25 million compared to the previous year. In 2015, efforts will continue to be intensified and the scale expanded. Rural biogas projects are managed through project-based approaches, with household biogas projects being implemented steadily in accordance with the principles of \"adjusting measures to local conditions, respecting farmers’ voluntariness, ensuring quality, and strengthening services\". The basic components of household biogas projects include household biogas digesters, along with simultaneous improvements to animal shelters, toilets, and kitchens. Currently, the central government subsidy for each household biogas system is 1,500 yuan in the western region, 1,200 yuan in the central region, and 1,000 yuan in the eastern region ； In villages where farming households are relatively concentrated, with rural residents as the target users of gas, support is provided for the construction of small biogas plants that use livestock manure or straw as raw materials, following the principles of \"uniform pool construction, centralized gas supply, and comprehensive utilization.\" The biogas residue and liquid are used for returning to the fields. Based on the number of households receiving gas supply, the central government’s subsidy for small biogas plants is 150% of the subsidy rate for household biogas systems ； In large-scale farms, breeding cooperatives, or administrative villages that have a stable source of raw materials, support is provided for the construction of medium and large-scale biogas plants that use livestock manure or straw as raw materials. The biogas produced can be used to supply gas to residents in the surrounding area or to generate electricity; central government funding gives priority to medium and large-scale biogas projects that provide gas to farmers on a collective basis. For large and medium-sized biogas projects in the western, central, and eastern regions, the central government provides subsidies of 45%, 35%, and 25% of the total project cost respectively, with the maximum amounts being 2.5 million yuan, 2 million yuan, and 1.5 million yuan in each case. The local governments are required to contribute an equal amount, at rates of no less than 5%, 10%, and 20% of the total project cost respectively. The biogas service system focuses on establishing rural service outlets, with the main components being the \"six ones\": one service facility, one raw material fermentation and storage tank, one set of feeding and discharging equipment, one set of testing equipment, one set of maintenance tools, and a supply of biogas accessories. For rural service centers in the western, central, and eastern regions, the central government provides subsidies of 45,000 yuan, 35,000 yuan, and 25,000 yuan respectively, while local governments provide subsidies at levels of not less than 5,000 yuan, 15,000 yuan, and 25,000 yuan respectively.