New Delhi: At the inaugural session of the India Bio-Energy & Tech Expo 2024 (IBETE), Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted India’s remarkable strides in the bioenergy sector. Addressing a distinguished audience, Minister Puri underscored bioenergy’s growing role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels, promoting rural economic opportunities, and advancing the country’s energy transformation.
Minister Puri outlined the government’s strategic efforts to bolster the bioenergy sector, which is essential for reducing foreign exchange outflow and fostering a circular economy. He detailed key initiatives, such as ethanol and biodiesel blending, Compressed Biogas (CBG), Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and waste-to-energy technologies. He emphasized that these initiatives not only mitigate environmental impact but also offer significant economic benefits.
One of the major highlights of Puri’s address was India’s successful ethanol blending program, which has soared from a modest 1.53% in 2014 to an impressive 15% in 2024. With a target of 20% blending by 2025, the program has saved Rs. 99,014 crore in foreign exchange, reduced carbon emissions by 519 lakh metric tons, and replaced 173 lakh metric tons of crude oil. The Minister also lauded the economic benefits the program has generated, with Oil Marketing Companies paying Rs. 1,45,930 crore to distillers and Rs. 87,558 crore to farmers.
The availability of E20 fuel has expanded to over 15,600 retail outlets across India, and the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana has provided crucial financial support for biofuel projects, contributing to a sustainable ethanol production ecosystem.
Puri also announced the establishment of two second-generation (2G) ethanol refineries in Panipat and Numaligarh, which convert agricultural residues like parali (crop stubble) and bamboo into ethanol. These refineries not only reduce pollution but also empower farmers by transforming them into “urjadata” (energy providers).
The government has also introduced incentives to further support ethanol production, offering Rs. 9.72 per litre for ethanol derived from maize, Rs. 8.46 per litre for ethanol from damaged rice, and Rs. 6.87 per litre for ethanol from C-heavy molasses. These efforts have driven maize’s contribution to ethanol production up to 36% in the 2023-24 supply year, from 0% just two years earlier.
Minister Puri also emphasized the importance of diversifying ethanol feedstocks and highlighted India’s progress in launching E100 fuel at over 400 retail outlets. He called upon the automotive industry to support this transition, noting the development of E100-compatible vehicles and retrofit kits for older models.
The Minister commended global practices, particularly Brazil’s success with high ethanol blends in vehicles, and expressed confidence in India’s ability to scale up E20 production. Puri reassured that blending ethanol with petrol not only improves engine performance but also enhances fuel efficiency.
The India Bio-Energy & Tech Expo 2024, organized by the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) and MMACTIV Sci-Tech Communications Ltd., was inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, alongside Minister Puri. The event, held at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, from September 2 to September 4, 2024, will focus on advancing India’s bioenergy sector through key government policies and initiatives such as the National Policy on Biofuels 2018 and the SATAT Scheme on Compressed Bio Gas (CBG).
Puri concluded by discussing the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), launched during India’s G20 presidency, which aims to harness the $500 billion biofuel market and foster global collaboration on bioenergy innovations.