Cabinet amends biofuels policy, advances ethanol blending target to 2025-26

New Delhi The Union Cabinet on may 18 approved advancing the target of blending 20% ethanol in petro

The Union Cabinet on may 18 approved advancing the target of blending 20% ethanol in petrol by 5 years to 2025-26 as well as allowing more feedstocks for the production of biofuels in a bid to cut reliance on imported oil for meeting the country’s energy needs.

The Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at its meeting on May 18 approved the amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels, an official statement said.

The main amendment is for advancing the target of blending 20% ethanol in petrol (20% ethanol, 80% petrol) to 2025-26 from 2030.

Currently, about 10% of ethanol is blended in petrol.

Also, more feedstocks have been allowed for the production of biofuels which can be doped with auto fuels.

It also provides for promoting the production of biofuels in the country, under the Make in India programme, by units located in Special Economic Zones (SEZ)/ Export Oriented Units (EoUs).

These decisions will help India, which depends on imports for meeting 85% of its oil needs, to cut reliance on overseas shipments.