NEW DELHI: Prime minister Narendra Modi will launch E20, or petrol blended with 20% ethanol, on Monday in Bengaluru, bringing forward by two years the launch of cleaner-burning version of the common manтАЩs fuel with the dual purpose of reducing oil imports and vehicular emission.
тАЬThe PM will launch the fuel by pressing a nozzle at the тАШIndia Energy WeekтАЩconference to start E20 sale at some 67 pumps on pilot basis across several states. We started at 1.4% ethanol blending in 2014 and achieved 10% blending five months ahead of the November 2022 target. The original target of 20% blending was 2030. We revised it to 2025 and then to 2023. WeтАЩre introducing it in the market months in advance,тАЭ a top government functionary said.
He said the pace at which the ethanol blending programmeтАЩs implementation and several other initiatives underway simultaneously across the energy value chain underlines the Modi governmentтАЩs commitment to clean energy transition and climate commitment as well as investment opportunities they provide.
тАЬIndia is the market where all the action is taking place. We are the third-largest consumer of oil and will contribute 35% of demand till 2040. Our economy is growing at 6-7%. About 60 million people visit petrol pumps daily for refill. We consume 5 million barrels a day of oil. At about 3% growth in demand, it is a matter of time before that becomes 6-7 million barrel a day,тАЭ he said giving the perspective on the conference.
The PM will also launch an indigenous solar-electric cooktop which will provide a low-carbon, low-cost cooking option for households. Built by IndianOilтАЩs R&D wing, the cooktop is comparable to modern induction cook tops and operates on solar and grid power.
тАЬThis will be IndiaтАЩs gift for the world,тАЭ he said, adding the Gates Foundation and other entities have evinced interest due to the cooktopтАЩs application potential in the global south. тАЬThe top has been tested at several locations and defence establishments in both cold and hot weather.тАЭ
The oil ministry is exploring the cooktopтАЩs inclusion in the renewable energyтАЩs subsidy plan for solar pumps, known as KUSUM, or similar support as the initially cost of around Rs 10,000 or could be daunting for households and slow down its adoption. тАЬThe price will come down to affordable levels once scale is achieved. The government is working on it,тАЭ the person said.
The PM is also slated to launch a programme for recycling PET bottles тАФ commonly called plastic bottles тАФ into fabric by the three state-run oil refiner-cum-fuel retailers, scaling up an initiative launched last year by IndianOil. тАЬMaking polyester yarn from recycled PET bottles requires 59% less energy and has 79% lower carbon footprint compared to yarn made from hydrocarbons. So apart from the cost, there is also the environmental advantage,тАЭ he said.
The fabric thus produced will be used for making uniforms for petrol pump attendants and supplied to the armed forces.
тАЬThe PM will launch the fuel by pressing a nozzle at the тАШIndia Energy WeekтАЩconference to start E20 sale at some 67 pumps on pilot basis across several states. We started at 1.4% ethanol blending in 2014 and achieved 10% blending five months ahead of the November 2022 target. The original target of 20% blending was 2030. We revised it to 2025 and then to 2023. WeтАЩre introducing it in the market months in advance,тАЭ a top government functionary said.
He said the pace at which the ethanol blending programmeтАЩs implementation and several other initiatives underway simultaneously across the energy value chain underlines the Modi governmentтАЩs commitment to clean energy transition and climate commitment as well as investment opportunities they provide.
тАЬIndia is the market where all the action is taking place. We are the third-largest consumer of oil and will contribute 35% of demand till 2040. Our economy is growing at 6-7%. About 60 million people visit petrol pumps daily for refill. We consume 5 million barrels a day of oil. At about 3% growth in demand, it is a matter of time before that becomes 6-7 million barrel a day,тАЭ he said giving the perspective on the conference.
The PM will also launch an indigenous solar-electric cooktop which will provide a low-carbon, low-cost cooking option for households. Built by IndianOilтАЩs R&D wing, the cooktop is comparable to modern induction cook tops and operates on solar and grid power.
тАЬThis will be IndiaтАЩs gift for the world,тАЭ he said, adding the Gates Foundation and other entities have evinced interest due to the cooktopтАЩs application potential in the global south. тАЬThe top has been tested at several locations and defence establishments in both cold and hot weather.тАЭ
The oil ministry is exploring the cooktopтАЩs inclusion in the renewable energyтАЩs subsidy plan for solar pumps, known as KUSUM, or similar support as the initially cost of around Rs 10,000 or could be daunting for households and slow down its adoption. тАЬThe price will come down to affordable levels once scale is achieved. The government is working on it,тАЭ the person said.
The PM is also slated to launch a programme for recycling PET bottles тАФ commonly called plastic bottles тАФ into fabric by the three state-run oil refiner-cum-fuel retailers, scaling up an initiative launched last year by IndianOil. тАЬMaking polyester yarn from recycled PET bottles requires 59% less energy and has 79% lower carbon footprint compared to yarn made from hydrocarbons. So apart from the cost, there is also the environmental advantage,тАЭ he said.
The fabric thus produced will be used for making uniforms for petrol pump attendants and supplied to the armed forces.
