India to have 20% ethanol blended petrol from 1 April 2023
The Cabinet has approved the Amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels – 2018, updating it with decisions taken by the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) and advancing the introduction of ethanol blended petrol to 20% across the country from 1 April 2023.
The following amendments were approved on 18 May 2022 to the National Policy on Biofuels:
to allow more feedstocks for production of biofuels;
to advance the ethanol blending target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol to ESY 2025-26 from 2030;
to promote the production of biofuels in the country, under the Make in India program, by units located in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and Export Oriented Units (EoUs);
to add new members to the NBCC;
to grant permission for export of biofuels in specific cases;
to delete and amend certain phrases in the Policy in line with decisions taken during the meetings of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.
This proposal will also attract and foster developments of indigenous technologies which will pave the way for Make in India drive and thereby generate more employment.
The existing National Policy on Biofuels came up during year 2018. This amendment proposal will pave the way for Make in India drive thereby leading to reduction in import of petroleum products by generation of more and more biofuels.
Since many more feedstocks are being allowed for production of biofuels, this will promote the Atmanirbhar Bharat and give an impetus to Prime Minister’s vision of India becoming ‘energy independent’ by 2047. fiinews.com
