Lok Sabha Question No. 1921 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-10
Subject: Use of Ethanol
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 1921

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2015

## USE OF ETHANOL

## 1921. SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA :

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to promote use of ethanol as an alternative fuel in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the coast of production of ethanol;
- (c) the  quantity  of  ethanol  produced  in  the  country  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year and the projected demand and supply of ethanol by the end of the Twelfth Five Year Plan;
- (d) whether the Government has received certain complaints against the operators of sugar industries and oil marketing companies relating to the pricing of ethanol blended petrol and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e) the measures taken by the Government to augment production and use of ethanol in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL & NEW  AND  RENEWABLE  ENERGY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): Yes  Madam.  The  Government  of  India  has  given  priority  for  promotion  and  use  of ethanol for blending with petrol. The Government emphasizes on the production of ethanol from ligno-cellulosic biomass and different agro-industrial wastes and residues.
- (b): The  cost  of  production  of  ethanol  varies  on  account  of  feedstocks,  processing technology and scale of production. However a remunerative delivered price range of Rs 48.50 to Rs 49.50 per litre depending upon the distance of transportation from distillery to depot has been offered under the policy.
- (c): About 1468 Crore litres of ethanol was produced in the country during the last three and current years.  The sugar-year wise production of ethanol is given in table below:

| Sugar Year (Oct.-Sept.)   | Approx.. quantity of alcohol/ ethanol produced   |
|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| 2015-16                   | 300 Crore litre (estimated)                      |
| 2014-15                   | 306 crore litres                                 |
| 2013-14                   | 272 crore litres                                 |
| 2012-13                   | 294 crore litres                                 |
| 2011-12                   | 296 crore litres                                 |

The projected demand and supply of ethanol by the end of the Twelfth Five Year Plan is approximately 420 and 300 Crore litres, respectively.

(d): No Madam.

(e):          Government  has taken various steps for development of ethanol in the country i.e. (i) Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented since year 2003 in the country under this Programme Oil Marketing Companies sell ethanol blended petrol with percentage of ethanol up to 10 % as per BIS specification to achieve 5 % ethanol blending across the country as a whole;  (ii) announcement of the National Policy on Biofuels in year 2009 for promotion and utilisation  of  biofuels  including  bioethanol.  (iii)    for  improve  the  ethanol  availability, Government decided the delivered price of ethanol in the range of Rs 48.50 to Rs 49.50 per litre. (iv) ethanol production from other non-food feedstocks besides molasses, like cellulosic and  lingo-cellulosic  materials  including  petrochemical  route,  has  also  been  allowed  to  be procured for EBP Programme; and (v) Continuous support from Ministries of Agriculture, New and Renewable Energy; Science and Technology for various research and development on different aspects of production and enhancing the ethanol availability in the country.

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