Ethanol can emerge as an alternative cooking fuel to LPG, but its large-scale adoption will depend on strong policy support from the government, Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman of Praj Industries, said, NDTV Profit reported.
Speaking in a televised interaction, he said ethanol-based cooking is already a proven concept and does not require major technological changes. “It is a known phenomenon, nothing much is required,” he noted.
His remarks come at a time when concerns over fuel supply have resurfaced due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. India depends heavily on imports to meet its LPG demand, and any disruption has pushed policymakers to look at alternative fuels.
Chaudhari said ethanol stoves are already being used in several countries and have seen improvements in recent years. However, adoption in India has remained limited due to the lack of consistent demand and policy backing.
He pointed out that earlier efforts to promote ethanol as a cooking fuel did not succeed as demand was not sustained, making it difficult for companies to continue investments.
Highlighting the broader importance, Chaudhari said ethanol should be viewed as part of India’s long-term energy strategy. He noted that ethanol has a lower carbon footprint and can help improve energy security by reducing dependence on imported fuels.
He also said multiple biofuel options are ready for expansion, including higher ethanol blending in petrol, diesel blending, sustainable aviation fuel and compressed biogas. However, these require policy decisions to move forward.
Chaudhari added that interest in ethanol projects is rising, with increasing demand for capacity expansion, but future growth will depend on clear and supportive government policies.
