India has already rolled out 20 per cent blended fuel, though in a phased manner, in April 2023 and widespread availability is expected in days to come. The government is ambitious of attaining 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol by 2024-25 and 30 per cent by 2029-30. The government has advanced the target of E20 fuel from 2030 to 2025.
As sugar prices started to rise due to estimates of lower production of sugarcane in Maharashtra and Karnataka, the Centre capped diversion of sugarcane juice for ethanol at 1.7 million tonnes in the ethanol supply year of November-October 2024. Sugar production till end of December in the current sugar season (2023-24) reached 11.18 million tonnes compared with 12.12 million tonnes for the same period in the previous year, according to Indian Sugar Mills Association, the industry body of private sugar mills, which has now rebranded itself to Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association.
Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) demanded that the government revise soon the prices of ethanol made from B-heavy and C-heavy mollases, a by-product of sugar, to improve the financial health of the millers.
"The most important fact is that ethanol is a green fuel. It reduces the carbon footprint for the country and the GHG emission reduction is absolutely priority for us now as global citizens."
"The most important fact is that ethanol is a green fuel. It reduces the carbon footprint for the country and the GHG emission reduction is absolutely priority for us now as global citizens."