What Is Ethanol Blending and How Can It Reduce Imports of Petroleum?

by Pooja Yadav (India Times) PM Modi informed that India has achieved the target of 10% ethanol blending, 5 months ahead of schedule. In 2014, ethanol blending was at 1.5 per cent.

Talking about its benefit, he said, “First, it has led to a reduction of 27 lakh tonnes of carbon emission. Second, it has saved foreign exchange worth Rs 41,000 crore and thirdly, farmers of the country have earned Rs 40,600 crore in the last eight years due to increase in ethanol blending.”

In India, The average carbon footprint of the world is over 4 tonnes per person per annum compared to just about 0.5 tonne per person per annum.

In ethanol blending, a blended motor fuel containing ethyl alcohol derived from agricultural products is blended with petrol specifically.

Ethanol is produced or procured from sugarcane-based raw materials which are. C & B heavy molasses, sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, surplus rice with Food Corporation of India (FCI) and maize.

Presently, India imports over 85 per cent of its oil requirement and ethanol blending could help in reducing dependency on petroleum.

Mixing 20 per cent ethanol in petrol can potentially reduce the auto fuel import bill by a yearly Rs 30,000 crore.

What is Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme?
Launched in 2003, the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme promotes the use of renewable and eco-friendly fuels and focuses on reducing India’s imports of fuel. It is implemented in accordance with the National Policy on Biofuels.

Earlier, only sugarcane was used to produce ethanol but foodgrains like maize, bajra, fruit and vegetable waste, etc. are also allowed to produce ethanol. It was allowed to help farmers earn extra income. READ MORE