In 10 Indian states the average level of ethanol blending with petrol has surpassed 8% between December 2018 and March 2019, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has announced.

The level was over 9% in the states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Under its new biofuel policy, India aims to reach 20% ethanol in petrol by 2030 with an interim goal of 10% by 2022. In 2018 it took measures to boost ethanol production which are bearing fruit already. ISMA said huge investments are being made across the country, mainly by sugar companies. In the next two to three years, India’s ethanol production capacity is seen to reach six to seven billion litres.

Contracts for the supply of about 2.35 billion litres (620.8 gal) of ethanol have been finalised for the current ethanol year, which will end in November. If these volumes are successfully blended, ethanol will substitute about 7.2% of petrol consumption, the association calculates.

 

Provided by Renewables Now exclusively for Essentica.