India Set to Achieve 20% Ethanol Blending Target Ahead of Deadline: Hardeep Puri at CII Bioenergy Summit

India is poised to achieve its 20% ethanol blending target well before the revised deadline of October 2025, according to Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas. Speaking at the “12th CII Bioenergy Summit 2024” in New Delhi, Puri attributed this progress to proactive government policies. The original 2030 deadline was advanced due to the successful surpassing of the 10% blending target five months ahead of schedule.

India’s Energy Trilemma

Puri acknowledged the challenges in India’s energy market, emphasizing the “trilemma” of availability, affordability, and sustainability. Despite market pressures affecting food-stock prices, he affirmed that ethanol blending remains a viable option. The initiative not only reduces crude oil imports but also boosts farmer incomes and mitigates carbon emissions.

The minister highlighted that 400 E100 fuel pumps have been deployed across four states—Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu—underscoring India’s readiness for next-generation fuels. He noted rapid advancements in the sector’s technology, projecting a move from 2G to 4G bioenergy solutions in the coming years.

Collaboration with Brazil

Puri called for stronger collaboration between India and Brazil in the bioenergy sector, as both nations are key players in this field. Ambassador Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega of Brazil echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the shared challenges posed by climate change. Nobrega highlighted the Global Bioenergy Alliance, a joint initiative of 25 countries and 12 international organizations, which aims to drive biofuel development globally.

Both India and Brazil are advocating for an inclusive energy transition, with G20 countries working to triple renewable energy capacity and double the average annual growth rate by 2030. The Global Bioenergy Alliance, formed during India’s G20 presidency, continues to push these goals forward under Brazil’s leadership.