Targeting 20% ethanol blending by 2025: Union Min

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said that India is in the process of transitioning from fossil fuels to biofuels.

“We are slowly but surely getting there with a target set for 20 per cent ethanol blending by 2025 from the present 12 per cent blending,” said Puri, adding that with the automobile industry innovating, vehicles are being developed to go beyond the 20 per cent blending without altering the engines.

He said that, during the round table with the Prime Minister, one of the suggestions made was about providing 100 per cent ethanol at over 9,000 stations across the four states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. This, he said, is tremendous progress since ethanol blending was announced only about 10
months ago.

Puri, who was speaking to reporters at the end of day one of the India Energy Week, said that the event is on a firm footing and will attract global attention as it is an ideal platform for exchanging ideas and innovations to meet
energy needs.

“As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, India is with the world and working for the world in the energy sector,” he said.

On the global bio-fuel alliance, he said India has extended invitations to all countries, and at present, 22 countries from the G-20 have joined hands. “We are hopeful that other countries will join in.”

Replying to a question, Puri said that there is no shortage of energy arrangements even if production of crude oil is reduced. “The appetite for energy has helped stabilise the
global market.