Hardeep Puri Assures Ethanol Price Stability, Highlights India's Biofuel Successes

Union Minister Hardeep Puri assured price stability for ethanol suppliers at the IFGE's Bio-Energy Expo in New Delhi. He highlighted India's achievements in ethanol blending and announced new 2G refineries aimed at reducing pollution and enhancing energy security. Puri praised the automobile industry's role in supporting the fuel transition.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Puri, on Monday assured the industry of stable ethanol prices during his address at the India Bio-Energy and Tech Expo organized by IFGE in New Delhi. Puri emphasized the government's continued policy of ensuring price stability and providing remunerative prices for ethanol suppliers, which has benefited sugarcane farmers by reducing pending dues.

To curb pollution and achieve energy security, the government has launched 2G (Second Generation) refineries to produce ethanol from parali in Panipat, Haryana, and bamboo in Nomaligarh, Assam. These initiatives aim to reduce pollution while achieving energy security and transforming farmers into 'Urjadatas' (energy providers), said Puri.

Puri also highlighted the success of India's ethanol blending program, which increased from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024. The government has advanced the target of 20% ethanol blending to 2025. The program has saved Rs. 99,014 crores in foreign exchange and reduced CO2 emissions by 519 lakh metric tonnes. It also enhanced crude oil substitution and provided financial benefits to distillers and farmers.

The Union Minister praised the automobile industry for their support in transitioning to eco-friendly fuels, particularly their efforts in developing retrofit kits for older vehicles to run on E20 fuel.

(With inputs from agencies.)