India can meet feedstock demand to achieve 25% ethanol blending, says Ramesh Chand
The Indian government is considering increasing ethanol blending with petrol to 25%, with a positive outlook from NITI Aayog regarding feedstock availability, particularly from sugarcane and maize. NITI Aayog is preparing a roadmap for this plan, building on the government’s confidence in achieving the 20% blending target by 2025-26. Despite earlier concerns about sugar and rice prices, as well as restrictions on certain feedstocks like sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses, the current ethanol supply year is progressing with a 15% blending target starting May.
The government’s ambitious 25 per cent ethanol blending with petrol (EBP) plan may get a nod from NITI Aayog as the think-tank is of the view that there will not be any issue as far as availability of the feedstock is concerned, which is the primary concern of many experts amid a debate over food versus fuel. “As far as availability is concern, there is no issue whether it is from sugarcane or grain. There is a vast scope to raise productivity of maize,” NITI Aayog Member Ramesh Chand said on the sidelines of an event.He said a draft note has been received and NITI Aayog is examining it to prepare a roadmap. Food Minister Pralhad Joshi last month said NITI Aayog has been asked to prepare a roadmap for increasing the ethanol blending to 25 per cent as the Government is confident of achieving the 20 per cent blending target by 2025-26. For the current ethanol year, which will come to an end on October 31, the government asked the oil marketing companies to start 15 per cent blending from May.
There were earlier concerns about availability of sugar and high prices of rice when the ethanol supply year started from November 2023, leading to restrictions on some feed stock for production of ethanol like sugarcane juice, B heavy molasses as well as FCI’s ₹20/kg rice programme.
