India has solidified its position as the world’s third-largest producer of biofuels, marking a new step in the country’s transition towards sustainable and renewable energy solutions, according to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

Puri highlighted India’s rapid progress in ethanol blending, reporting that the country had achieved a 19.6 per cent ethanol blend in petrol. He further noted that India is on track to reach a 20 per cent blend in the near future, five years ahead of the original 2030 target.

Over the past decade, ethanol blending initiatives have provided economic benefits for farmers by increasing demand for sugarcane-based ethanol, generating rural employment, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, as reported by
IANS, a partner of TV BRICS. Official estimates suggest that these efforts have contributed to a reduction in emissions equivalent to planting 175 million trees.

India’s state-run oil companies have played a pivotal role in this transition by implementing ethanol-petrol blends nationwide. Agreements have been signed with 131 dedicated ethanol production plants, which are projected to contribute an additional 74.5 billion litres of biofuel annually.

The country also holds the fourth-largest refining capacity worldwide, reinforcing its role as a major energy hub. Additionally, India is the seventh-largest exporter of refined petroleum products, further strengthening its position in global energy markets.

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