India’s Biofuel Journey towards a Sustainable Future

Ashwini Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India shared his thoughts on the synergy between agriculture and green energy, which is integral to building a sustainable future for India, during the CII Bioenergy Summit 2024. The following were the key takeaways from his address.

In the past decade, India has made substantial strides in biofuel production, with nearly enough capacity to reach its 20% ethanol-blending target by 2025-26. As of now, the country has a capacity of approximately 1,650 crore litres, meeting its projected requirements for this target. Currently, over 15% ethanol is blended with gasoline, equating to around 600 crore liters this year. The blending rate is expected to reach 18% by 2024-25 and achieve the final 20% goal in 2025-26.

Feedstock Diversification and Maize Production

Diverse feedstocks, including sugarcane, grains, and maize, are essential for sustainable ethanol production. This year, maize-based ethanol has accounted for a significant portion of supply, supported by government procurement programs at the minimum support price (MSP). The MSP initiative has encouraged farmers to expand their cultivation, increasing the area under the crop by 4.5% compared to last year.

Agricultural and Industrial Initiatives

Efforts are underway to improve crop yield, especially for maize and sugarcane, through partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture. Initiatives like the "Per Drop, More Crop" irrigation scheme allow sugar mills to enhance water efficiency in sugarcane production, receiving subsidies to support implementation.

Innovations in Biofuel and Clean Energy

India is expanding beyond ethanol to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), compressed biogas (CBG), and green hydrogen. These initiatives reflect a shift from traditional sugar production to broader clean energy applications. India is currently the third-largest ethanol producer globally, following the U.S. and Brazil, and leads biofuel innovation through the Global Biofuel Alliance, with participation from 27 countries and 12 international organizations.

Long-Term Goals and Collaboration

With the government encouraging 2G ethanol production and supporting SAF, India targets a 5% SAF blend by 2030, which could substantially lower carbon intensity. Efforts to integrate 5% CBG with CNG by 2059 are also underway, driven by ample resources and bio-manufacturing capacity.

India has established a Center of Excellence on Biofuels in Kanpur, focusing on biofuel research, innovation, and production efficiency in partnership with industry and IIT Kanpur.

Automobile Sector and Flex-Fuel Vehicles

The production of flex-fuel vehicles, which can operate on bioethanol, is expected to grow in response to these biofuel advances. Similar to Brazil, India aims to promote hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles, aligning the automotive sector with green energy initiatives. Leading manufacturers like Maruti are encouraged to drive this shift.

Carbon Credits and Emissions Reduction

Carbon credits are anticipated to be pivotal in boosting revenue in the bioenergy sector and incentivizing cleaner practices. India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets a 45% reduction in emissions intensity by 2030 from 2005 levels. Drawing inspiration from Brazil’s Renovo Bio program, India is creating a carbon market to support biofuel expansion.

India’s biofuel journey is intertwined with its agricultural sector, emphasizing job creation, diversity, and social development. The synergy between agriculture and green energy is integral to building a sustainable future for India.