West Bengal: The country's first bio-energy centre was launched at the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur (IIT-K) on Tuesday for undertaking research, teaching and technological implementation of conventional and non-conventional energy.

The P.K. Sinha Centre for Bio-Energy would aim to create an industry consortium to engage in industrial research.

The centre has been set up with the help of IIT alumnus Prabhakant Sinha, who has pledged Rs.10 crore for it.

Sinha, founder and co-chairman of ZS Associates, said that once the industry consortium came into being, the captains of the industry will pay regular fees and share knowledge through regular seminars and conferences.

By providing space for bio-energy research, the centre will help in reducing the carbon footprint and enhancing the income of villagers and rural communities.

The centre has already collaborated with University of California, Berkeley, for research partnership. IANS