Unveiling Progress in India's Biofuel Expansion: Significant Findings from the 12th CII Bioenergy Conference
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recently hosted the 12th CII Bioenergy Summit in New Delhi, highlighting India's remarkable progress in ethanol blending and bioenergy. The event underscored the government's commitment to achieving self-reliance in fuel production and green growth.
Shri Sanjiv Puri, CII President, emphasized the role of biofuels in driving sustainable and inclusive growth, particularly in agricultural value chains and rural entrepreneurship. He envisioned the biofuel sector as a potential driver of agricultural prosperity.
India is on track to meet the 20% blending requirement by next year, with 1650 crore litres of ethanol capacity already in place. This progress has been significant, with India's ethanol blending increasing from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024. Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, lauding India's progress, revised the deadline for 20% ethanol blending to October 2025.
Mr. Salil Gupte, Chairman of the CII Committee on Aerospace and President of Boeing India, added that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) could contribute up to 65% of the aviation industry's decarbonization efforts by 2050. This underscores the potential of biofuels in addressing climate change challenges.
However, the summit also highlighted the logistical challenges of ethanol production and distribution. Shri Gadkari stressed the need to optimize biomass transportation and production costs. Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary of the Department of Food & Public Distribution, mentioned that the government's supply chain optimization initiatives have saved Rs 250 crore annually in grain distribution.
Two-wheeler manufacturers like TVS, Bajaj, and Honda are waiting for ethanol pumps to begin selling ethanol-fueled bikes. Automakers like Suzuki, Tata, and Toyota are preparing to launch flex-engine cars. Shri Nitin Gadkari also emphasized ongoing research for blending 15% ethanol in diesel.
The Global Biofuels Alliance, a significant organization, called for an inclusive energy transition during G20 ministerial meetings, setting ambitious goals to triple renewable energy capacity and double the annual growth rate by 2030.
India's Rs 22 lakh crore fossil fuel import bill underscores the importance of biofuels for self-reliance. Shri Gadkari suggested that the biofuel sector could raise the agricultural sector's contribution to GDP from the current 14-15% to over 20%.
The summit also engaged with global cooperation on significant bioenergy topics. Mr. Shishir Joshipura, Co-chairman of the CII Committee on Bioenergy, underscored the potential of ethanol as the starting point for various sustainable products, including bio-polymers and SAF.
His Excellency Mr. Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega, Ambassador of Brazil in India, emphasized the shared challenges between India and Brazil due to climate change, particularly affecting food security. The summit reflected a global consensus on the need for sustainable and inclusive energy solutions.
In conclusion, the 12th CII Bioenergy Summit demonstrated India's commitment to a green and self-reliant future. The government's efforts in ethanol blending and bioenergy are not only driving sustainable growth but also addressing climate change challenges and fostering rural entrepreneurship. The discussions at the summit also pointed towards future blending targets, such as E85 and E100, underscoring the potential for further growth in India's biofuels sector.
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