Indigenous technology for biofuels may emerge soon: Dharmendra Pradhan

Ethanol production through molasses in the country for FY17 is 220-cr litres, says Pradhan

The government is hopeful that a new model regarding the use of biofuels and developed through indigenous technology would emerge in the coming days, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said today.

During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, the Petroleum and Natural Gas minister said that efforts were being made by Indian scientists regarding the use of biofuels.

As per the existing policy, ethanol for ethanol blended petrol (EBP) programme is procured from the molasses route by the public sector oil marketing companies.

Ethanol production through molasses in the country for in 2016-17 is estimated to be 220 crore litres, he said.

"This ethanol/alcohol is used in the potable liquor sector, chemical sector and EBP programme. In the current ethanol supply year, oil PSUs have executed agreements for the supply of 78.7 crore litres of ethanol," he said.