Vinod Bhat
NEW DELHI, SeP 2: The International Conference on Bioenergy, hosted at the Amaltas Hall of the India International Convention & Expo Centre, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, witnessed a strong convergence of industry leaders, government officials, and experts, all focused on “Unleashing Bioenergy Potential in India.” The event brought together dignitaries such as Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, President of the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) and Executive Chairman of Praj Industries, and Shri Anna Sahab M K Patil, Chairman of IFGE and Former Minister of State for Rural Development.
The Hon’ble Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, addressing the gathering, emphasized the transformative role of bioenergy in India’s energy landscape. “Bioenergy has become a crucial alternative energy source, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and offering rural communities a new avenue for income generation,” the Minister remarked. The conference aimed to position India as a leader in bioenergy by unlocking the vast potential of biomass and other sustainable energy resources.
India’s Bioenergy Push: A Cleaner and Self-Reliant Future
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bioenergy has been identified as a key enabler in India’s mission to transition to a cleaner, more self-reliant energy future. The focus is on reducing import dependency, saving foreign exchange, and promoting a circular economy. The Minister highlighted specific areas of prioritization, including ethanol blending, biodiesel, compressed biogas (CBG), sustainable aviation fuels, biomass pellets and briquettes, biohydrogen, and waste-to-energy solutions.
Ethanol Blending: A Success Story
India’s ethanol blending program has been a remarkable success. Since 2014, the blending percentage has increased from 1.53% to 15% in 2024. The success of this initiative has led the government to advance its target of achieving 20% ethanol blending by five years, with a new deadline of 2025.
The benefits of ethanol blending have been significant. From 2014 to mid-2024, the program has saved ₹99,014 crore in foreign exchange, lowered CO2 emissions by 519 lakh metric tons, and achieved crude oil substitution of 173 lakh metric tons. Additionally, ₹1,45,930 crore has been paid to distillers by oil marketing companies, and farmers have received ₹87,558 crore in the same period.
The Minister underscored the impact of the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, which supports advanced biofuels projects with financial assistance, creating a sustainable ethanol production ecosystem. The establishment of 2G refineries in Panipat (using paddy straw) and Numaligarh (using bamboo) showcases the government’s commitment to reducing pollution and empowering farmers, transforming them from annadatas (food providers) to urjadata (energy providers).
To further boost ethanol production, the government has incentivized supplies from alternative sources such as maize and damaged rice. These measures have yielded tangible results, with maize contributing 36% to ethanol production in the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2023-24, up from 0% in ESY 2021-22.
In August 2024, the government resumed the supply of FCI rice to ethanol distilleries, allowing them to purchase up to 23 lakh tonnes through e-auctions. From November 2024, sugarcane juice and syrup will also be supplied to distilleries, adding another boost to ethanol production.
The government’s policy of using multiple feedstocks for ethanol ensures feedstock security, preventing stress on any single source. This, coupled with price stability for ethanol suppliers, has helped reduce sugarcane farmer arrears and cut down on crude oil imports.
The Minister also mentioned the government’s collaboration with the automotive industry to develop ethanol-compatible vehicles. The launch of E100 fuel at over 400 retail outlets across the country is a significant step forward. Shri Gadkari’s efforts to persuade automobile manufacturers to produce E100-compatible vehicles were appreciated.
Global Biofuels Alliance: A Collaborative Platform
Formed during India’s G20 presidency last year, the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) is set to accelerate the global adoption of biofuels. The alliance focuses on knowledge sharing, technology development, and policy learning to capitalize on a $500 billion opportunity. The Minister expressed confidence that the GBA would play a pivotal role in expediting biofuel technology transfer worldwide.
Compressed Biogas (CBG) and SATAT Scheme
Under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme, CBG production is being promoted using waste and biomass. The Minister highlighted that 72 CBG plants, with a combined capacity of 450 metric tons per day, have already been commissioned. Additionally, phase-wise mandatory blending of CBG in compressed natural gas (CNG) for transport and piped natural gas (PNG) for domestic use will begin from FY 2025-26.
The GOBAR-Dhan scheme, aimed at establishing 500 “waste-to-wealth” plants, demonstrates India’s commitment to converting waste into valuable energy resources.
Collaboration and Innovation
The Minister concluded by emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in India’s bioenergy journey. “This transition is about creating comprehensive ecosystems as much as it is about harnessing specific technologies,” the Minister stated. The role of the IFGE in bringing together stakeholders on a common platform was recognized as vital to fostering growth and innovation in the bioenergy sector.
The International Conference on Bioenergy was hailed as a significant milestone in advancing India’s energy transition, offering a valuable platform for exchanging ideas, technologies, and strategies to further unleash the nation’s bioenergy potential.
