The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme is delivering impressive outcomes, benefiting both ethanol producers and farmers financially, while also helping the government save foreign exchange.
During the 12th CII Bioenergy Summit, titled “Fuelling the Future – Securing India’s Green Growth Goals,” Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri engaged with a large audience of CEOs, policymakers, academics, researchers, diplomats, and representatives from major bioenergy-producing countries such as the US, Brazil, and France, among others.
In his address at the Summit, Puri highlighted the success of the ethanol blending programme, stating, “Ethanol blending has increased from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024. Encouraged by this progress, we’ve moved up our target of 20% blending by five years to 2025, and we are on track to meet it. This achievement has enabled India to save ₹1,06,072 crore in foreign exchange, pay ₹90,059 crore to farmers, reduce crude oil imports by 181 lakh MT, and cut down 544 lakh MT of CO2 emissions between 2014 and August 2024.”
He further emphasized, “India is expected to contribute to around 25% of the global increase in energy demand. The challenge now is determining how much of that demand can be met with traditional fuels and how much can be fulfilled through alternative fuels. This decision will shape the future of our green transition under the visionary leadership of PM Modi. We are on the brink of transforming India’s energy landscape. Bioenergy, through initiatives like ethanol blending, biodiesel, CBG, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and waste-to-energy solutions, will play a crucial role in driving India’s NetZero strategy.”
