29 ethanol projects approved for Odisha state under central scheme: MoS
Odisha has received approval for 29 ethanol projects under the ethanol interest subvention scheme, Minister Suresh Gopi informed the Rajya Sabha. Five ethanol distilleries with a 20-crore-litre annual capacity are operational, and BPCL is setting up a 200-KLPD plant in Bargarh. The government’s biofuel initiatives have saved ₹1.13 lakh crore in forex and reduced CO₂ emissions.
Kendrapada: The department of food and public distribution (DFPD) has approved assistance to 29 projects in Odisha under its ethanol interest subvention scheme, minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, Suresh Gopi, informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.Responding to a question from MP Debashish Samantaray, Gopi said five ethanol distilleries with an annual capacity of 20 crore litres are currently operational in the state. Additionally, BPCL is establishing a 200 kilolitre per day (KLPD) integrated ethanol plant in Bargarh.The BPCL plant alone is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1.1 lakh tonnes of CO2 equivalent and create employment opportunities for around 1,000 people.
The ministry has conducted capacity-building seminars and farming equipment demonstrations in adjoining areas to encourage local farmer participation in the biomass supply chain.In response to another question from MP Sanjay Seth, Gopi highlighted that the govt’s biofuel blending initiatives have saved over Rs 1,13,000 crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15. The programme has also facilitated payments of over Rs 96,000 crore to farmers. The govt has implemented several measures to promote biofuel production nationwide, including the ethanol blended petrol (EBP) programme, biodiesel lending programme, SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) initiative, reduction in GST rates on ethanol to 5%, among others.Over the past decade, ethanol blending in petrol by public sector oil marketing companies has resulted in a reduction of approximately 578 lakh metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, the minister added.
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Source : The Times Of India
