Ethanol blending percentage surges to 15 percent in 2024: Hardeep S Puri

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has called on Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to prioritise the production of E100-compatible vehicles, aligning with India’s broader goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting alternative fuels.

Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri hailed bioenergy as a crucial alternative to fossil fuels, emphasising its environmental and economic benefits at the inaugural session of the India Bio-Energy & Tech Expo 2024 (IBETE). “Bioenergy offers immense opportunities, particularly in rural areas, and plays a critical role in reducing import dependence,” Puri said.

He highlighted the government’s comprehensive strategy, covering ethanol and biodiesel blending, Compressed Biogas (CBG), Sustainable Aviation Fuels, biomass, Biohydrogen, and waste-to-energy solutions. One of the government’s standout achievements is the ethanol blending program, which saw the blend increase from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024. The government aims to reach 20% by 2025.

“Ethanol blending has saved ₹99,014 crore in foreign exchange and reduced CO2 emissions by 519 lakh metric tons,” Puri noted, commending the economic impact on farmers and distillers. The availability of E20 fuel at over 15,600 outlets nationwide was another major milestone.

Key projects include the establishment of 2G ethanol refineries in Panipat and Numaligarh, which convert agricultural residues into ethanol, transforming farmers into “urjadata,” or energy providers. Incentives for ethanol production from maize and damaged rice have also been introduced, with maize contributing 36% of production in 2023-24. Puri also urged Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to encourage automakers to support E100 fuel-compatible vehicles, citing Brazil’s successful use of high ethanol blends. He reassured that ethanol blending improves engine performance and efficiency, dispelling common misconceptions. “India is ready to scale up E20 and transition fuels for older vehicles,” he concluded.