Petroleum Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, has stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ‘New India’ is playing a leading role globally in the field of green energy. Biofuel derived from agricultural residues is providing new vigor to India, boosting farmer incomes, and creating new job opportunities.
He also mentioned about E20, stating that currently E20 fuel is available at 9,700 stations across the country, with the number steadily increasing. According to him, by 2025, this fuel will cover the entire nation. In the coming times, some stations will only have ethanol pumps.
The government is leaving no stone unturned to promote ethanol production in the country.
The Government of India has been implementing Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme throughout the country wherein Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) sell petrol blended with ethanol. Under EBP Programme, Government has fixed the target of 20% blending of ethanol with petrol by 2025.
In order to achieve the target of 20% blending by 2025, about 1016 crore litres of ethanol is required and total requirement of ethanol including for other uses is 1350 crore litres. For this, about 1700 crore liters of ethanol producing capacity is required to be in place by 2025 considering plant operates at 80% efficiency. The Government has estimated the demand of ethanol required for 20% blending by 2025 keeping in view the growth of petrol-based vehicles in two-wheeler and passenger vehicle segments& the projected sale of Motor Spirit (MS).
Production of ethanol has led to proportionate reduction in the import of petrol or crude oil which has resulted in saving of foreign exchange for India.
