AIDA urges rapid rollout of ethanol cooking solutions amid LPG issues
AIDA has urged the government to promote ethanol-based cooking as an alternative to LPG amid supply constraints. With rising ethanol capacity, this move can enhance energy security, utilise surplus, support farmers, and reduce emissions. The proposal includes policy support, safety standards, and targeted adoption in rural and commercial segments.
AIDA has written to the Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, regarding the fast adoption of ethanol-based cooking solutions.
The Association has stated that recent geopolitical disruptions have tightened LPG supplies, leading to prioritisation of household consumption, while commercial users continue to face supply constraints. This over-reliance on a single imported clean cooking fuel underscores the urgent need to diversify India’s cooking energy mix.
AIDA said that with significant investments of nearly 240,000 crore made over the past few years, the domestic ethanol industry has developed substantial production capacity.
As of 28th February 2026 (ESY 2025-26), over 353 crore litres of ethanol have already been blended, achieving an average blending level of 20% in petrol. The current installed ethanol production capacity stands at approximately 2000 crore litres per annum, with the potential to scale up to 2400+ crore litres by 2026-27. In this scenario, a surplus is likely to emerge, necessitating the creation of additional demand avenues.
“In this context, ethanol-based cooking solutions present a promising opportunity as a complementary clean cooking fuel for households, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas, as well as for commercial establishments such as small food businesses and institutional kitchens”, the Association wrote.
Certain advantages of ethanol-based cooking solutions were also listed in the letter.
Energy Security: Reduces dependence on imported LPG and enhances domestic energy resilience
Utilisation of Surplus: Provides a viable pathway for absorbing excess ethanol production
Cleaner Combustion: Lower particulate emissions, contributing to reduced indoor air pollution
Cost Advantage: Hydrous ethanol avoids dehydration costs, making it potentially more economical than commercial LPG
Decentralised Energy Source: Can be produced and supplied locally, supporting regional energy ecosystems
Support to Farmers: Strengthens demand for agri-based feedstocks such as rice, maize, and sugarcane
Ease of Adoption: Suitable for both household and small commercial cooking applications
Adequate Heat Output: Ethanol stoves generate ~1.5-3 kW heat, sufficient for typical Indian cooking needs
The Association said that, from a technical standpoint, while ethanol has a lower calorific value compared to LPG, advancements in stove design, optimised burners, and efficient fuel delivery systems can effectively bridge this gap for practical cooking applications.
Such an initiative aligns closely with national priorities of promoting clean energy access, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, and strengthening the domestic biofuel ecosystem. It also encourages innovation in downstream applications while ensuring optimal utilisation of existing ethanol capacities.
AIDA has requested the Ministry to:
Create an enabling policy and regulatory framework to support the phased adoption of Ethanol as a cooking fuel.
Develop safety, quality, and performance standards for ethanol cookstoves.
Explore targeted deployment in commercial and semi-urban/rural segments.
It is currently in initial discussions with a premier institute for the development of a detailed white paper and a prototype on ethanol-based cooking solutions. This initiative aims to provide technical validation, design optimisation, and implementation pathways to support the scalable adoption of such solutions in India.
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Source : Chinimandi
