At the Advantage Assam 2.0 business summit, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep S. Puri announced that India has achieved 19.6 percent ethanol blending. He said, “We will be looking at more than 20 percent blending of biofuel. Already a NITI Aayog group has been set up and they are looking into it.” This indicates that the government is actively exploring further increases in ethanol blending.
Role of Ethanol in Fuel Policy
Ethanol blending is a key part of India’s fuel policy, aimed at reducing dependency on fossil fuels. The initiative aligns with the broader strategy to achieve net zero emissions in the fossil fuel industry by 2045. According to the minister, “All the fossil fuel production companies will achieve net zero by 2045, even though India has developmental challenges.”
Government Initiative and Next Steps
A NITI Aayog-led group is currently assessing the feasibility of blending beyond 20 percent. The focus will be on ensuring smooth implementation while addressing any economic or logistical challenges. The outcome of this evaluation will determine the next phase of India’s ethanol blending program.
