India Achieves 10 Per Cent Ethanol Blending Target Ahead Of Deadline
Recently India achieved the target of 10% ethanol blending in petrol.
The original target of 10% ethanol blending in petrol was set to be achieved by November 2022.
The central government had set a target of 20% ethanol blending (also known as E20) in petrol by the year 2025.
An ethanol blend is defined as a blended motor fuel containing ethyl alcohol. It is at least 99% pure.
This ethanol is derived from agricultural products and is typically blended with gasoline. Since, it is a plant based product, it is considered as a renewable fuel.
Measures taken to increase ethanol blending:
- The government fixed remunerative prices for ethanol from maize, and rice from the Food Corporation of India. The government is encouraging sugar mills and distilleries to increase their distillation capacity.
- For this, the government is providing them the facility to take loans from banks. The government is bearing an interest subvention of up to 6% on such loans.
- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) has amended the Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractice) Order, 2005 to allow direct sale of Bio-ethanol (E100).
- Ethanol Blended Program (EBP) has been launched to increase the indigenous production of ethanol.
- India is the fifth largest ethanol producer in the world after the US, Brazil, the European Union and China.
Importance of ethanol blending:
- Reduces pollution.
- Combustion of ethanol made from biomass is considered carbon neutral from an atmospheric point of view. This is because, as biomass increases, it absorbs CO, which can accommodate the CO produced by the combustion of ethanol.
- This will reduce India’s energy import dependency. Thus it will help in reducing the import bill of crude oil.
- It is beneficial for farmers and sugar mills.
Source – The Hindu
