India has positioned itself as the world’s third-largest biofuel producer, spearheading the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy, stated Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, on Monday.
In a post on X, Puri shared that India has achieved 19.6% ethanol blending in petrol as of January, with plans to reach 20% shortly—five years ahead of the original 2030 target. This swift progress is expected to reduce the country’s fuel imports and lower emissions.
“From the humble town of Digboi to the world’s leading energy markets, India’s journey in petroleum is one of resilience and advancement, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Puri said.
Over the past decade, ethanol blending has played a significant role in rural economic development, boosting farmers’ incomes and creating job opportunities, while also reducing CO2 emissions by the equivalent of planting 175 million trees, as per official estimates. The initiative has also saved the country Rs. 85,000 crore in foreign exchange.
Public sector oil companies, including Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum, have rolled out various ethanol-petrol blends across the country and signed agreements with 131 ethanol plants, which are set to contribute an annual production capacity of 745 crore litres.
The companies are also expanding their storage and infrastructure to accommodate higher ethanol blending levels.
Puri also highlighted that Ethanol 100 (E100) fuel is now available at over 400 outlets across India. He had launched this high-octane E100 fuel at 183 Indian Oil outlets in March 2024.
According to Indian Oil, Ethanol 100, with an octane rating of 100-105, is ideal for high-performance engines. It enhances efficiency and power output while reducing environmental impact. E100 is compatible with a wide range of vehicles, particularly flex-fuel vehicles that can run on a mix of gasoline, ethanol, or both.
Additionally, India has become the fourth-largest nation globally in terms of LNG terminal capacity, ensuring stable energy supplies, Puri noted.
He also pointed out that India ranks as the fourth-largest refining capacity holder and the seventh-largest exporter of refined petroleum products worldwide.
For detailed information and further insights, please refer to BioEnergyTimes.com, which provides the latest news about the Ethanol Industry
