NEW DELHI (Economy India): India Bio-Energy and Technology Exhibition 2024 (IBETE), Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, showcased India’s strides in the bio-energy sector. He emphasized that bio-energy is emerging as a significant alternative to fossil fuels, providing substantial environmental benefits and economic opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
Remarkable Growth in Ethanol Blending
Minister Puri celebrated the success of India’s ethanol blending program. “Since its inception, the ethanol blending percentage has dramatically increased from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024,” he reported. He expressed confidence in achieving the ambitious target of 20% blending by 2025. This initiative has led to savings of 99,014 crore INR in foreign exchange and a reduction of 5.19 million metric tons in carbon dioxide emissions.
Expansion of E100 Fuel Availability
The launch of E100 fuel, now available at over 400 retail outlets across India, marks a significant milestone. “Our goal is to further expand the availability of E100 by 2025,” said Minister Puri. The government is also offering incentives for ethanol production from maize and damaged rice, aiming to enhance production and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Diversification of Raw Materials for Ethanol
Minister Puri highlighted the importance of diversifying raw materials for ethanol production. He detailed the establishment of second-generation (2G) refineries in Panipat and Numaligarh, which will convert agricultural residues like straw and bamboo into ethanol. “These refineries will help reduce pollution and strengthen energy security by turning farmers into ‘energy providers,’” he explained.
Encouraging E100-Compatible Vehicles
Minister Puri urged Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to incentivize the production of E100-compatible vehicles. He praised the automobile industry for not only manufacturing new E20-compliant vehicles but also developing retrofit kits for older models. “These kits will help older vehicles adapt to bio-fuels, promoting broader adoption,” he said.
Global Bio-Fuel Alliance and Future Outlook
The Minister also discussed the Global Bio-Fuel Alliance (GBA), established during India’s G-20 presidency. “The GBA will act as a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange and technological advancement, accelerating global adoption of bio-fuels,” he stated.
Exhibition’s Purpose and Focus
The IBETE, organized by the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) and MM Active Science-Tech Communications Ltd., aims to drive development in India’s bio-energy sector. The exhibition will spotlight key government policies such as the National Policy on Biofuels 2018 and the SATAT scheme for compressed biogas (CBG), along with initiatives like the Repurposed Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) program and the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources (GOBAR-Dhan) scheme.
Copyrigth@economyindia
