India’s Ethanol Blending Milestone
Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s Announcement
In New Delhi, Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, announced that India has surpassed its ethanol blending target of 10% five months ahead of schedule. Speaking at the 12th CII Bioenergy Summit 2024, he expressed confidence in achieving a 20% blending target before the new deadline of October 2025.
Energy Market Challenges
Puri highlighted the challenges of availability, affordability, and sustainability in India’s energy market. He noted that blending remains a viable option due to strong market forces affecting food-stock prices. Forex savings and carbon emission mitigation have improved significantly from 2014 to 2024, with crude oil substitution through blending increasing farmer income.
Technological Advancements and Global Collaboration
India now has 400 E100 fuel pumps across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, preparing for next-gen fuels. Puri emphasized rapid technological advancements from 2G to 4G and urged collaboration with Brazil in the bioenergy sector. Brazil, holding the G20 presidency, is part of the Global Bioenergy Alliance, initiated by India, to enhance biofuel development.
Global Bioenergy Alliance and Climate Challenges
Brazil’s Ambassador, Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega, highlighted shared climate challenges like floods affecting food security. The Global Bioenergy Alliance aims for an inclusive energy transition, with goals to triple renewable energy capacity and double growth rates by 2030.
Doubts Revealed
Hardeep Singh Puri -: Hardeep Singh Puri is an Indian politician who is the Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas. He is responsible for managing India’s energy resources and policies.
Ethanol Blending -: Ethanol blending is the process of mixing ethanol, a type of alcohol made from plants, with petrol to make it cleaner and reduce pollution. It helps in reducing the use of fossil fuels and is better for the environment.
CII Bioenergy Summit -: The CII Bioenergy Summit is a meeting organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) where experts discuss bioenergy, which is energy made from natural materials like plants and waste.
10% ethanol blending target -: The 10% ethanol blending target means that 10% of the petrol used in vehicles is mixed with ethanol. India has achieved this goal earlier than planned, which is a success in reducing pollution.
Global Bioenergy Alliance -: The Global Bioenergy Alliance is a group started by India to work with other countries to improve biofuel technology and fight climate change. It aims to increase the use of renewable energy sources.
Brazil collaboration -: Brazil is a country in South America that is very advanced in using ethanol as fuel. India is working with Brazil to learn and improve its own ethanol blending and biofuel technologies.