Advancing India’s Biofuel Revolution: Key Insights from the 12th CII Bioenergy Summit

The 12th CII Bioenergy Summit, held on October 14, 2024, in New Delhi, witnessed notable addresses from Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas. The summit spotlighted India’s ambitious strides in bioenergy, with a particular focus on ethanol blending and sustainable energy innovations.

 Ethanol Blending in Diesel: Progress and Ambitions

Shri Nitin Gadkari, in his ministerial address, emphasized the ongoing research on blending 15% ethanol in diesel, a promising initiative nearing advanced stages. He highlighted India’s rapid progress in ethanol blending, noting the increase from a mere 1.53% in 2014 to a remarkable 15% in 2024. With the momentum gained, the government is now targeting 20% blending in petrol by 2025.

Discussing the development of an ethanol ecosystem, Shri Gadkari shared insights into the fast-tracked efforts to set up ethanol pumps and roll out ethanol-compatible vehicles in key states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Automakers, including Suzuki, Tata, and Toyota, are preparing to launch flex-engine cars, while two-wheeler manufacturers like TVS, Bajaj, and Honda are waiting for ethanol pumps to begin selling ethanol-fueled bikes.

Shri Gadkari also stressed the need to optimize biomass transportation and production costs, especially in regions like Punjab and Haryana, where stubble burning contributes to severe air pollution. Indian Oil’s Panipat plant, which uses stubble as biomass, offers a partial solution to the pollution problem, with further planning required to scale up these efforts.

Biofuels and Self-Reliance: Shri Gadkari’s Vision for India’s Agricultural Sector

India’s Rs 22 lakh crore fossil fuel import bill highlights the importance of biofuels in achieving self-reliance. Shri Gadkari envisioned biofuels as a driver of agricultural prosperity, enabling farmers to transform from “Annadata” (food-givers) to “Urjadata” (energy-givers), “Indhandata” (fuel-givers), and even “Hydrogendata” (hydrogen-givers).

The minister suggested that the biofuel sector could raise the agricultural sector’s contribution to GDP from the current 14-15% to over 20%, propelling India toward energy self-sufficiency while also benefiting the rural economy.

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri on Blending Targets and Green Energy

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, lauded India’s progress in ethanol blending, crediting forward-thinking policies for enabling the country to surpass its 10% blending target ahead of schedule. With the deadline for 20% ethanol blending revised to October 2025, he expressed confidence in achieving the goal well before time.

Puri discussed the importance of balancing the “trilemma” of availability, affordability, and sustainability in the energy sector. He pointed to India’s success in reducing solar energy costs as a positive example, with the nation also making strides in green hydrogen production, attracting global electrolyser manufacturers to its shores.

Global Collaborations and Shared Challenges

His Excellency Mr. Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega, Ambassador of Brazil in India, emphasized the shared challenges between India and Brazil due to climate change, such as weather anomalies affecting food security. He noted the significance of the Global Biofuels Alliance, which called for an inclusive energy transition during G20 ministerial meetings, setting ambitious goals to triple renewable energy capacity and double the annual growth rate by 2030.

The Road Ahead for India’s Biofuel Sector

Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, highlighted the logistical challenges of ethanol production and distribution, noting that the government’s supply chain optimization initiatives had already saved Rs 250 crore annually in grain distribution. With 1650 crore litres of ethanol capacity already in place, the country is on track to meet the 20% blending requirement by next year.

CII President Shri Sanjiv Puri emphasized the role of biofuels in driving sustainable and inclusive growth, particularly in agricultural value chains and rural entrepreneurship. Mr. Tarun Sawhney, Co-chairman of the CII Committee on Bioenergy, echoed these sentiments, urging discussions on future blending targets, such as E85 and E100.

Mr. Shishir Joshipura, Co-chairman of the CII Committee on Bioenergy, underscored the potential of ethanol as the starting point for various sustainable products, including bio-polymers and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Mr. Salil Gupte, Chairman of the CII Committee on Aerospace and President of Boeing India, added that SAF could contribute up to 65% of the aviation industry’s decarbonization efforts by 2050.

Conclusion: A Green Energy Future for India

The 12th CII Bioenergy Summit highlighted India’s remarkable progress in ethanol blending and bioenergy, reflecting the government’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in fuel production and green growth. With biofuels poised to play a pivotal role in India’s energy transition, the country is set to become a global leader in sustainable energy solutions.