Bihar, a prominent agricultural state in India, has introduced the Biofuel Production Promotion Policy, 2023, marking a proactive move towards a sustainable future. The purpose of this policy is to create a strong biofuel industry in the state and attract investment in order to encourage the production of biofuels, which are clean-burning alternatives to conventional fossil fuels.
Scaling Up: Transitioning from Ethanol to Biofuels
The 2021 Ethanol Production Promotion Policy was successful in establishing ethanol plants in the state. The Biofuel Policy builds on this success. The government has broadened its focus to include bio-CNG and compressed biogas (CBG), which are renewable fuels made from organic waste, in recognition of this success. This broader focus makes it possible for Bihar’s biofuel production landscape to be more varied.
Meeting National Objectives: Diminishing Dependency on Fossil Fuels
The 2018 National Policy on Biofuels’ stated national objective of lowering reliance on fossil fuels is in line with the Biofuel Policy. By 2030, a 20% ethanol blend in gasoline and 5% biodiesel blend in diesel are the goals of this national policy. Bihar addresses environmental issues and advances this national goal at the same time by encouraging the production of biofuel.
Many Advantages: A Greener and Richer Bihar
There are several advantages that the Biofuel Policy provides for Bihar.
Environmental Sustainability: The policy helps to improve air quality, particularly in urban areas, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting biofuels, which burn cleaner than fossil fuels and are derived from renewable resources.
Boost for Agriculture: Selling agricultural waste products to biofuel plants, such as straw and stalks, can help farmers earn extra money. This boosts the agricultural industry and opens up a new market for these materials.
Rural Job Creation: The establishment and operation of biofuel plants require both skilled and unskilled labor, which generates jobs in rural areas. This can support rural development and empower nearby communities.
Decreased Dependency on Imports: As a result of increased domestic biofuel production, Bihar is less dependent on fossil fuel imports, improving both its economic and energy security.
Investor Incentivization: Creating an Appealing Biofuel Production Environment
The Biofuel Policy acknowledges that investment is essential to building a strong biofuel sector. In order to draw in investors, the policy provides a number of financial incentives:
Financial Assistance: For the establishment of new biofuel plants, the government offers a subsidy of up to 25% of the project cost, with a cap of Rs. 10 crore for ethanol plants and Rs. 5 crore for CBG plants. Businesses’ initial investment burden is greatly decreased as a result.
Subvention of Interest: The policy offers a 5-year interest subvention on loans taken for projects involving biofuel plants in an effort to make loans more accessible. For businesses, this means a lower interest rate, which lowers operating expenses.
Tax Benefits: For ten years, investors are completely exempt from stamp duty and registration fees, among other tax breaks. They also get a 100% electricity duty exemption when they buy or rent land for biofuel plants. Businesses save a lot of money thanks to these tax benefits.
Special Assistance for Particular Groups: The significance of inclusivity is acknowledged in the policy. In addition to the 10% capital subsidy, women entrepreneurs and members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are given an additional 1% interest subsidy. This makes it easier for people from different backgrounds to get involved in the biofuel industry.
Sustained Incentive-Sustainability Balance
The Biofuel Policy establishes safeguards to ensure responsible resource utilization in addition to providing attractive incentives. Based on the project cost and investor category, the policy sets a maximum amount of incentives that an investor may obtain. This makes incentives more reasonable and encourages the use of sustainable methods for producing biofuel.
Looking Ahead: A Biofuel-Powered Sustainable Future
The Bihar Biofuel Policy is a big step in the right direction for the state’s future—one that is cleaner, more self-sufficient, and economically thriving. Bihar is enabling a more sustainable energy landscape and empowering its people through the creation of jobs and economic opportunities by encouraging the production and use of biofuels.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the article by Dilip Patil, Managing Director of Samarth SSK Ltd., are solely his own.
