Chandigarh, Jul 26 (IANS): The Punjab government has approved renewable energy projects worth Rs 100 crore, state Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy Sources Gurpreet Singh Kangar said on Thursday.

The approvals cover nine small hydro projects with the combined 5.55 MW capacity, which would entail an investment of Rs 60 crore, one bio-CNG project involving Rs 17.50 crore and a bio-Coal Plant of Rs 26.75 crore and these would be set up by private players, he said.

"The private companies are envisaging immense interest in the renewable energy sector. This will not just fetch investment but also increase the capacity of green power generation. In addition they will utilize rice straw for production of bio-CNG and bio-coal," Kangar said in a statement.

The hydro projects will be commissioned by 2020-21.

With the commissioning of these projects, the total installed capacity of small and mini hydel projects in the state will reach about 180 MW.

The project for generation of bio-CNG from agriculture waste is to be set up by Mumbai-based Mahindra Waste to Energy Solutions Ltd.

It is proposed to be set up in Mohali and will be completed within 15 months.

The bio-coal plant based on processing of paddy straw will be set up at Mehma Sarja village in Bathinda district by Neway Renewable Energy (Bathinda) Private Ltd.