Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said that 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol is likely to be available in the country from December or January, ahead of the April 2023 target, the PTI reported.
“We are constantly reviewing the ethanol production and I believe, 20 per cent blended fuel would come in the market in December or January ahead of April 2023 (target),” he said.
Citing the example of Brazil where flex-fuel vehicles are available and the consumer can take ethanol or petrol as per choice, he said that this will be the ultimate goal of the government. However, to reach that stage, certain technical aspects are there and work is going on. “We are going to hold a major meeting with automobile manufacturers on ethanol blending,” he said.
India has advanced the target date for achieving 20 per cent ethanol-blending in petrol by five years to 2025.
The minister also said that for the targeted 20 per cent blending of ethanol in petrol, the country will need a 1,000 core litre capacity. He added that 450 crore litre is being produced and tenders for 400 crore litre have been issued.
“We have more than enough ethanol for 20 per cent blending,” he noted.
All petrol sold in the country is targeted to have 20 per cent ethanol by 2025.
Meanwhile, reacting to the decision of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day, Puri said India will do all that is required to ensure its energy security and affordability.
He said if required, India will go for diversification of energy sources. “This is their (OPEC’s) sovereign right what they want to do but equally it is my job to point out that all actions have consequences, intended or unintended. India will be able to navigate through the situation with confidence,” the petroleum and natural gas minister said at GEO India 2022 conference here.
“We will not allow any shortages to come in. The government will do all that is required to ensure energy security and affordability,” he said.
Puri said as per the estimate of the sector, consumption of fuel will increase and 25 per cent of the global demand in next 20 years will be from India. Therefore, he added, the prime minister took the decision to open up exploration and production sector.