Propelling India's Biofuel Evolution: Pivotal Observations from the 12th CII Bioenergy Conference
India, the world's largest Indian agriculture nation, is making significant strides in its quest for self-reliance in fuel production and green growth, as highlighted at the 12th CII Bioenergy Summit. The event underscored India's commitment to biofuels, which are seen as a key driver for sustainable and inclusive growth, particularly in agricultural value chains and rural entrepreneurship.
Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, emphasized the importance of research on blending 15% ethanol in diesel, in addition to the ongoing efforts to achieve the 20% blending target in petrol by 2025. The minister expressed confidence in achieving this goal well before the revised deadline of October 2025.
Automakers like Suzuki, Tata, Toyota, and major players such as Stellantis are preparing to launch flex-engine cars, which can run on ethanol blends, supporting the government's push for ethanol fuel usage in India. Two-wheeler manufacturers like TVS, Bajaj, and Honda are also waiting for ethanol pumps to begin selling ethanol-fueled bikes.
India's ethanol blending in diesel has already increased from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024. Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, lauded India's progress in ethanol blending, crediting forward-thinking policies.
The government's supply chain optimization initiatives, as stated by Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary of the Department of Food & Public Distribution, have saved Rs 250 crore annually in grain distribution. Indian Oil's Panipat plant, for instance, uses stubble as biomass, offering a partial solution to air pollution problems.
The summit also reflected on shared challenges between India and Brazil due to climate change, such as weather anomalies affecting food security. The Global Biofuels Alliance, discussed during G20 ministerial meetings, set ambitious goals to triple renewable energy capacity and double the annual growth rate by 2030.
Mr. Salil Gupte, Chairman of the CII Committee on Aerospace and President of Boeing India, stated that SAF could contribute up to 65% of the aviation industry's decarbonization efforts by 2050. Mr. Shishir Joshipura, Co-chairman of the CII Committee on Bioenergy, highlighted the potential of ethanol as the starting point for various sustainable products, including bio-polymers and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Looking ahead, discussions on future blending targets, such as E85 and E100, have been urged by Mr. Tarun Sawhney, Co-chairman of the CII Committee on Bioenergy. Shri Gadkari envisioned biofuels as a driver of agricultural prosperity, aiming to raise the agricultural sector's contribution to GDP from 14-15% to over 20%.
The summit concluded with a sense of optimism, underscoring India's remarkable progress in ethanol blending and bioenergy, and the potential for further growth in this sector.
Read also:
- AI-Enhanced Battery-Swapping Station in Southeast Asia Officially Opens Its Doors
- G7 leaders convene prior to the upcoming Hiroshima Summit, under the guidance of JAMA heads.
- Lighthearted holiday adventure with Guido Cantz:
- Energy storage company, Sympower, secures $50 million fund to expand battery storage and energy adaptability solutions across Europe.
