Union Minister Hardeep Puri Talks About Ethanol Price Stability and Bio-Energy Initiatives
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Puri, assured the industry of stable ethanol prices at the India Bio-Energy and Tech Expo in New Delhi. He highlighted the government’s efforts in promoting alternative fuels like ethanol, setting up 2G refineries in Panipat and Nomaligarh, and achieving a 15% ethanol blending rate.
Puri said, “The continued policy of the government in providing price stability and remunerative prices for ethanol suppliers has helped in reducing the pending of sugarcane farmers. The government is committed to advancing alternative fuels, such as ethanol, for future automobiles.”
He mentioned that the ethanol blending percentage has increased from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024, with a target of 20% by October 2025. Puri noted significant benefits from the ethanol program, including saving Rs. 99,014 crores in foreign exchange, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 519 lakh metric tonnes, and substituting 173 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil.
Puri praised the automobile industry for supporting the transition to E20 fuel and developing retrofit kits for older vehicles. He said, “I would like to commend the automobile industry for not only manufacturing new vehicles that are compliant with E20 fuel but also for their efforts in developing retrofit kits for older vehicles.”
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a person who is in charge of a specific department in the government of India. They help make important decisions for the country.
Hardeep Puri -: Hardeep Puri is a person who works for the Indian government. He is responsible for looking after petroleum and natural gas.
Ethanol -: Ethanol is a type of alcohol that can be used as fuel for cars. It is made from plants like sugarcane and corn.
Bio-Energy -: Bio-Energy is energy made from plants and other natural materials. It is a way to make electricity and fuel without using fossil fuels like coal and oil.
2G refineries -: 2G refineries are special factories that make fuel from plant waste, like leftover sugarcane. They are called ‘2G’ because they use second-generation technology.
Panipat and Nomaligarh -: Panipat and Nomaligarh are places in India where new 2G refineries are being set up to make bio-fuel.
E20 fuel -: E20 fuel is a type of petrol that has 20% ethanol mixed in it. It is better for the environment than regular petrol.
Ethanol blending rate -: Ethanol blending rate is the percentage of ethanol mixed with petrol. A 15% blending rate means 15% of the fuel is ethanol and 85% is petrol.
