ETHANOL BLENDING PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3– Energy/Env & Eco)

Context: The Centre recently expressed confidence in achieving its goal of 12% ethanol blending with petrol by the end of the current ethanol supply year, which concludes in October.

Ethanol Blending Programme

• About: The Centre had “launched pilot projects wherein 5% ethanol-blended petrol was supplied to retail outlets”.
• Launched: In 2003 on a pilot basis and has been subsequently extended to 21 states and 4 Union Territories.
• Implemented by: Ministry or Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• Aim: Reducing the country’s dependence on crude oil imports, cutting carbon emissions and boosting farmers’ incomes. 
• Targets: 10 percent ethanol blending in petrol by the end of 2022 and 20 percent blending by 2030.

Ethanol

• About: It is also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a clear, colourless, and flammable liquid. It is a type of alcohol.
• Produced by: Molasses, a byproduct of sugar manufacture.
• Uses: Production of solvents, cleaning agents, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and chemicals.

  National Biofuel Policy (2018): It envisaged an indicative target of 20% (E20 target) ethanol blending in petrol by year 2025-26 advanced from 2030, after achieving the target of 10% ethanol blending (E10).