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The government has increased ethanol blending in petrol from 1.53 per cent in 2013-14 to 10.17 per cent in 2022 and advanced its target to achieve 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to 2025-26, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said on Tuesday. He said that <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> has been able to navigate through the most formidable energy crisis the world has seen since the 1973 oil crisis thanks to its energy security strategy focussing on diversification of energy supplies, increasing India's exploration and production footprint, and meeting energy transition through the gas-based economy, <keyword id="8411893" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="green-hydrogen" source="Orion">Green Hydrogen</keyword> and electric vehicles. Puri said that India has increased the number of its crude oil suppliers from 27 countries in 2006-07 to 39 in 2021-22, adding new suppliers like Columbia, <keyword id="6358826" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword>, <keyword id="6354786" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="libya" source="Orion">Libya</keyword>, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea among others. "At the same time, we have strengthened our relationship with countries like US and Russia," he added. The minister further said that diesel prices, in India between December 2021 and December 2022 rose by only 3 per cent, going up by 34 per cent in the US, 36 per cent in Canada, 25 per cent in <keyword id="6363645" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="spain" source="Orion">Spain</keyword>, and 10 per cent in the UK. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/british-company-develops-the-first-ever-tractor-that-runs-completely-on-cow-dung/articleshow/96882132.cms">British company develops the first-ever tractor that runs completely on cow dung</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/amazon-great-republic-day-sale-to-begin-on-january-16-for-prime-members/articleshow/96885798.cms">Amazon Great Republic Day Sale to begin on January 16 for Prime members – sale dates, card offers and more</a>

Ethanol blending hiked from 1.5% to 10% since 2013-14: Govt

<ul><li>Sugar producing company stocks have rallied up to 25% in the last one month on excitement of double incentive by the government for producing ethanol.</li><li>The government is taking several steps to boost <keyword id="1992365" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ethanol-production" source="Orion">ethanol production</keyword>, which can be used as an alternative to fuel in car engines and thereby reduce air pollution.</li><li>The government has already addressed auto makers to start manufacturing <keyword id="10975219" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flex-fuel-vehicles" source="Orion">flex fuel vehicles</keyword>, automobiles which can run on ethanol.</li></ul>Most sugar manufacturing companies have witnessed the best year as their share price doubled or even tripled in 2021 led by improving outlook and government measures to support such companies. In the last one year, the government has come out with a slew of measures to encourage sugar mills to produce ethanol. Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel produced by fermenting the sugarcane juice. Ethanol has been a game changer for the sugar industry In October, 2021, the government announced an incentive to encourage sugar companies to divert excess sugar cane stock in producing ethanol, which can be blended with petrol and used as fuel in vehicles. Besides, this is also a good solution to address the problem of excess sugar production in the country. Stock prices of many sugar companies doubled in 2021. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sugar producing companies </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">% returns in last one month </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">% returns in 2021 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bannari Amman Sugars </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">25% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">82% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Shree Renuka Sugars </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">22% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">153% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Uttam Sugar Mills </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">21% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">82% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bajaj Hindustan Sugar </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">17% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">139% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Balrampur Chini Mills </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">16% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">109% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Avadh Sugar &amp; Energy </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">15% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">113% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dhampur Sugar Mills </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">10% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">81% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dwarikesh Sugar Industries </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">130% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Triveni Engineering and Industries </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">212% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dalmia Bharat Sugar &amp; Industries </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">167% </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Government’s measures to boost ethanol production In an effort to reduce import of petroleum products, the government has been encouraging farmers to produce ethanol that can be blended with petrol and used as a fuel in vehicles. Also, the centre has advised auto makers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles that are capable of running on both ethanol-based fuel and petrol. Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Honda, BMW and Mercedes have been told to make vehicles that can run on ethanol based fuel, said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in an Agro-Vision event in Nagpur this week while encouraging farmers to grow more sugarcane plants. <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[ ]]></cdata></div>The move is in line with the government’s target to reduce the carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030. Analysts say sugar industry has a long way to go Sugar industry in India is expected to grow by 6-7% in the years 2021-2022 due to growth in exports of sugar and ethanol, said Manoj Dalmia, founder and director, Proficient equities. “Exports taking place from India will rise as Brazil is facing weather changes impacting crops. India is to register exports of around 4-6 million tonnes for (sugar 2022). Government plans 20% ethanol blending by 2025 in petrol, currently it is 10%. This measure will reduce the debt burden on farmers as a result sugar stocks are to grow,” said Dalmia. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/six-reasons-why-indias-central-bank-believes-cryptocurrencies-threaten-financial-stability/articleshow/88588170.cms">Six reasons why India’s central bank believes cryptocurrencies threaten financial stability</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/rbl-banks-stock-slumped-nearly-10-even-as-rbi-approves-interim-head-for-the-bank/articleshow/88584214.cms">RBL Bank slides back to its lowest in a year despite a new chief and RBI's assurances</a>

Sugar companies witness a sweet rally on ethanol excitement that may continue in 2022 as well

<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> mainly relies on oil imports, which make up about 80% of its current oil consumption</li><li>Rising oil prices also have a bearing on the Indian Rupee which reached a record low earlier this week</li><li>India has a stated ambition of reducing its dependence on oil </li></ul> Prices of <keyword id="6367091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="petrol">petrol</keyword> and <keyword id="6356109" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="diesel">diesel</keyword> have risen sharply in the last couple of weeks with the both fuels touching record highs. On Tuesday, prices of petrol had risen for tenth day <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/petrol-diesel-prices-rise-for-the-10th-consecutive-day/articleshow/65665863.cms">straight </a>and as of Tuesday morning petrol <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Money/PwI1JhZlCdGYPaxnE7CkhI/Petrol-diesel-prices-rise-for-the-10th-day-Check-todays-r.html">cost</a> ₹79.31 ($1.11) per litre in <keyword id="66" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword> and ₹86.72 per litre in Mumbai. The price of diesel stood at ₹71.34 per litre in Delhi and ₹75.74 per litre in Mumbai. The news comes even as the Indian government announcing impressive <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/India-overtakes-China-to-become-the-worlds-fastest-growing-economy-in-Q1-2018/articleshow/65653486.cms">GDP growth</a> numbers for the first quarter of 2018, growing at 8.2%. Rising crude prices and falling rupee India mainly relies on oil imports, which make up about 80% of its current oil consumption. Global crude oil prices have been on the uptick in recent weeks because of a supply <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/oil-prices-poised-for-further-hike-international-energy-agency/articleshow/65614389.cms">shortage </a>in Venezuela and rising demand elsewhere. Crude oil prices <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/fuel-prices-set-new-record-on-fall-in-rupee-surge-in-global-crude-oil/articleshow/65650709.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=cppst">rose </a>by $7 a barrel in just the last couple of weeks. Crude oil prices had been relatively<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/global-oil/oil-prices-stable-on-healthy-demand-but-oversupply-looms-later-in-2018-idUSL8N1QX015"> stable</a> earlier this year. Meanwhile, the rupee has been in free fall in part because of the global oil prices and recent economic crisis in Turkey. On Wednesday, rupee posted a record low of ₹71 against the dollar. The value of Indian rupee has <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45369884">slipped </a>by 10% since the beginning of the year because of fears of India’s increasing trade deficit and rising global oil prices. A weak rupee also makes it more expensive to import goods and commodities priced in US dollars. Last year, India shifted to the practice of revising fuel prices on a daily basis from an earlier practice of reviewing twice a month. The former was enacted by <keyword id="6354412" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-oil">Indian oil</keyword> marketing companies to bring it in line with the daily fluctuations in crude oil and what other developing countries follow. What about alternative fuels? India has a stated ambition of reducing its dependence on oil with the government aiming to have 30% of cars <a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/2018/03/08/india-says-never-targeted-100-electric-mobility-by-2030-scales-down-aim#gs.LqrO=_I">running</a> on electricity by 2030. Biofuels derived from vegetable sources is another potential alternative however the supply currently lags because of limited availability of raw materials. The Indian government has also been pushing for the adoption of <keyword id="53632" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="biofuel">biofuel</keyword>s for many years and in 2003 set the target of blending petrol and diesel with 10% of ethanol sourced from <keyword id="31653" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sugar">sugar</keyword> molasses. Biofuel could potentially be manufactured from waste foodgrains and even <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/et-explains/rotten-potatoes-thats-the-governments-answer-to-your-rising-fuel-bill/articleshow/65656298.cms">rotten potatoes.</a> However, challenges still remain for these fuels for the foreseeable future.

Why are petrol and diesel prices spiking if the economy is in recovery?

State-owned <keyword id="20039950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Petroleum-Corporation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bharat Petroleum Corporation" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Bharat Petroleum Corporation">Bharat Petroleum Corporation</keyword> plans to invest Rs 1.7 lakh crore over the next five years to grow its core oil refining and fuel marketing business as well as in 'future big bets' of <keyword id="20115883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="petrochemicals" source="keywords">petrochemicals</keyword> and <keyword id="19895435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-energy" source="keywords">green energy</keyword>, its chairman G Krishnakumar has said. At present, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (<keyword id="19908646" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="BPCL" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BPCL" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="BPCL">BPCL</keyword>) owns about 14 per cent of India's oil <keyword id="20064251" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="refining-capacity" source="keywords">refining capacity</keyword> and about a quarter of the fuel retailing network. It plans to grow these businesses while foraying into newer areas. The firm is now implementing the first phase of a multi-decade aspirational journey in the form of '<keyword id="22826627" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="project-Aspire" source="keywords">Project Aspire</keyword>' - its five-year strategic framework that is based on two fundamental pillars - 'Nurturing the Core' and 'Investing in Future Big Bets', he said in the company's latest annual report. "Our mid-term strategy is on a continuum. While we remain committed to growing our core businesses, which include refining and marketing <keyword id="20037698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="petroleum-products" source="keywords">petroleum products</keyword> and upstream, we are equally focused on our big bets comprising petrochemicals, gas, green energy, non-fuel retail, and digital. "Project Aspire, with a planned capex outlay of around Rs 1.70 lakh crore over five years, will enable us to create long-term value for our stakeholders while preserving our planet for future generations," he said. "A cornerstone of our long-term strategy, Project Aspire, with a Rs 1.70 trillion investment, marks the initial phase of our multi-decade odyssey to shape the energy of tomorrow. This, coupled with our robust balance sheet, fuels our ambition to lead the <keyword id="19951336" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-transition" source="keywords">energy transition</keyword>." The company is targeting net zero carbon emissions from its operations by 2040. "BPCL has drawn a net-zero roadmap, which encompasses renewable power, green hydrogen, compressed biogas, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), efficiency improvement and the offsets procurements. This would require a phased capital outlay of approximately Rs 1 lakh crore till 2040, and the company is geared for the same," he said. The firm's bet on continuing investing in core businesses is based on the premise that India's booming economy will drive a 4-5 per cent annual increase in energy demand and petroleum product consumption. Also, the demand for major petrochemical products is expected to rise by 7-8 per cent annually. "This presents a strategic opportunity to expand refining capacity alongside the development of integrated petrochemical complexes," he said. BPCL is implementing new petrochemical projects at two of its three oil refineries. A Rs 49,000 crore ethylene cracker project is being implemented at the Bina refinery in Madhya Pradesh, alongside raising oil refining capacity from the current 7.8 million tonnes to 11 million tonnes annually by 2029. A polypropylene project is being set up at Kochi refinery in Kerala by 2027. "To meet the anticipated demand beyond our planned expansions in Bina and Kochi, we are actively evaluating options for setting up additional integrated refining and petrochemical capacities within the next 5-7 years," Krishnakumar said without disclosing either the investments or the location of such a project. Andhra Pradesh is being speculated as the likely site after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP and regional party TDP stormed to power in the state in recently concluded assembly elections. TDP has been demanding the implementation of a refinery-cum-petrochemical complex that was promised as part of the package when the state was split more than a decade back. "Our investment in the petrochemical project is consistent with our aspiration of becoming a dominant player in India's petrochemical growth story," Krishnakumar said. On energy transition, he said BPCL is targeting to build 2 gigawatts (GW) of <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> capacity by 2025 and 10 GW by 2035. "We are investing nearly Rs 1,000 crore to establish two 50 MW captive wind power plants in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, which will support our refineries in Mumbai and Bina." The firm is also investing around Rs 300 crore in 72 MWp of solar project in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. "Concomitantly, we are executing green hydrogen projects aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission. These projects include a 5 MW electrolyser plant at Bina refinery and a green hydrogen refuelling station with an indigenously developed electrolyser at Kochi," he noted. BPCL, he said, is committed to supporting the transition to electric mobility through a robust and accessible charging infrastructure. The company has installed over 3,000 charging stations, including fast chargers for cars and two-wheelers. 900 fast chargers are installed across 120 highway corridors, which helps address the range, discovery and time anxiety of electric vehicle (EV) owners. "Over the next five years, we aim to install 4-wheeler fast chargers at approximately 6,000 retail outlets across 400 highway corridors, prioritising high-traffic corridors like the Golden Quadrilateral and N-S/E-W highways," he said. On biofuels, he said BPCL sells petrol with 20 per cent ethanol blend at 4,279 out of its over 22,000 petrol pumps. It is also building compressed biogas plants using municipal solid waste to make gas that can be used as CNG in automobiles. The firm is also exploring partnerships in the arena. "These combined efforts, along with the upcoming commissioning of a bio-ethanol refinery, positions BPCL as a key player in India's transition to a greener fuel mix, creating a robust ecosystem for the adoption of cleaner fuels across the country," he added. BPCL is establishing a corporate venture capital fund to invest directly in promising startups. "In order to thrive in this complex and challenging business landscape, we will leverage our agility and focus on operational excellence to ensure continued success. Safety and reliability will remain our top priorities, guiding all our actions. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance," he added. He said the energy sector of India stands at an inflection point. "The nation has an ambitious vision of becoming a USD 30 trillion developed economy by 2047. 'Viksit Bharat @2047' will necessitate an almost fourfold increase in primary energy demand." India's exponential growth trajectory will propel it to a pivotal role in the global energy market, accounting for roughly 12 per cent of world energy consumption by 2047. "The key strategic objectives for India in the energy sector will entail significant expansion in refining capacities, raising the share of gas in the energy basket from about 6 per cent to 15 per cent, establishing leadership in petrochemical exports, and sharply reducing energy imports from current levels of 47 per cent to below 25 per cent by 2030 and to zero by 2047," he said. India is targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity, sourcing half of its energy needs from renewables, reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes and lowering carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 with the ultimate goal of net-zero emissions by 2070. "Building on its strong Indian energy presence, BPCL aspires to meet 7-10 per cent of the nation's primary energy demand by 2047," he said.

BPCL planning Rs 1.7 lakh crore spend to expand core business, new energy foray over next five years

New Delhi, India on Saturday announced the launch of the <keyword id="16473623" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Global-Biofuel-Alliance" source="Orion">Global Biofuel Alliance</keyword> and urged G20 nations to join the initiative with a plea to take ethanol blending with petrol globally to 20 per cent. Speaking at the G20 Summit session on 'One Earth', Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> also proposed launching the 'G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation' and urged leaders to commence work on the 'Green Credit Initiative'. "Today, the need of the hour is that all countries should work together in the field of fuel blending. Our proposal is to take an initiative at a global-level to take ethanol blending in petrol up to 20 per cent," he said. "Or alternatively, we could work on developing another blending mix for the greater global good, one that ensures a stable energy supply while also contributing to climate security," Modi said at the session attended by US President Joe Biden, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak among others. The prime minister said energy transition is a significant need of the 21st century world considering the challenge of climate change. He said trillions of dollars are required for an inclusive energy transition and that the developed countries play a very crucial role in this. "Along with India, all the countries of the Global South are pleased that developed countries have taken a positive initiative this year, in 2023. Developed countries have expressed their willingness to fulfil their commitment of USD 100 billion for climate finance for the first time," he said. At the Copenhagen UN climate talks in 2009, developed countries had committed to providing USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to support developing countries in combating climate change. However, the wealthier nations failed repeatedly to fulfil this commitment. The Global Biofuels Alliance, which the world's third biggest oil consumer wants to push during its G20 presidency, mirrors the <keyword id="3155010" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="international-solar-alliance" source="Orion">International Solar Alliance</keyword> (ISA) piloted by New Delhi and Paris in 2015 to bring clean and affordable solar energy within the reach of all. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an exclusive interview told PTI that India's proposal for a global alliance on biofuels among members of the Group of 20 major economies would help accelerate sustainable biofuels deployment in support of the global energy transition. "Such alliances are aimed at creating options for developing countries to advance their energy transitions," he had said. "Biofuels are also important from the perspective of a circular economy. Markets, trade, technology, and policy all aspects of international cooperation are crucial in creating such opportunities," Modi had said. <keyword id="53632" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="biofuel" source="Orion">Biofuel</keyword> is a renewable source of energy which is derived from biomass. India, which imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil needs, is gradually building capacity to produce fuel from such items as crop stubble, plant waste, and municipal solid waste. While India is on schedule to double the mixing of ethanol extracted from sugarcane and agriculture waste to 20 per cent with petrol by 2025, it is also setting up dozens of compressed biogas (CBG) plants. The Global Biofuels Alliance is aimed at facilitating cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels across sectors, including transportation. Its focus is primarily on strengthening markets, facilitating global biofuel trade, developing concrete policy lesson-sharing and providing technical support for national biofuel programmes worldwide. Such an initiative is also aimed at helping India's transition to alternative fuels and cutting its import bill, as it seeks to achieve its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2070. On the other hand, the ISA aims to mobilise more than USD 1,000 billion of investment needed by 2030 for the massive deployment of solar energy. The <keyword id="69313" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="international-energy-agency" source="Orion">International Energy Agency</keyword> (IEA) estimates that global sustainable biofuel production would need to triple by 2030 to put the world's energy system on track towards net zero emissions by 2050. Liquid biofuels provided more than 4 per cent of the total transport energy supply in 2022.

G20 Summit: PM Modi announces launch of Global Biofuel Alliance

Auto companies may soon be asked to manufacture passenger and commercial vehicles that run on multiple fuel configuration aimed at reducing the use of polluting fossil fuels and cutting down harmful emissions. New guidelines for use of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) using flex engines is expected to be issued by the third quarter of current year (<keyword id="5027223" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="FY22">FY22</keyword>) that would specify engine configuration and other changes required in vehicles to conform to stipulated changes in fuel mix. The government is also working on an incentive scheme to promote manufacture and use of flex engines in vehicles. The details would be specified when policy in this regard is unveiled. The use of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) is being actively looked at by the government to ensure increased use of bio-fuels for running vehicles, <keyword id="84980" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="petroleum">Petroleum</keyword> Secretary Tarun Kapoor had told <keyword id="105681" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IANS">IANS</keyword> earlier. An FFV is a modified version of vehicles that could run both on gasoline and doped petrol with different levels of ethanol blends. These are currently being used successfully in Brazil, giving people the option to switch fuel (gasoline and ethanol) depending on price and convenience. In fact, a majority of vehicles sold in Brazil are FFVs. For <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, FFVs will present a different advantage as they will allow vehicles to use different blends of ethanol mixed petrol available in different parts of the country. The current regulations allow for mixing up to 10 per cent ethanol in petrol. However, due to short supplies and transportation challenges, 10 per cent blended petrol is available only in 15 states while bio-fuel in other states varies between 0 to 5 per cent. FFVs will allow vehicles to use all the blends and also run on unblended fuel. Introduction of FFVs will require adoption of vehicle standards, technologies and retrofitting configurations that will have to be looked at by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The country is moving quickly in the direction of E-20 or 20 per cent ethanol blended petrol fuel that could be introduced as early as 2023 with a nationwide roll out by 2025. The urgency for policy of vehicle is keeping these goals in mind. For auto companies, introduction of FFVs will pose another challenge that they are already facing with the fast adoption of electric vehicles. If standards on FFVs are made mandatory, it would require additional investment in production lines and technology transfers to change the character of the vehicles. Already the use of 10 per cent ethanol blended petrol and introduction of BS VI fuel have added to the cost of making a vehicle. Taking blending to 20 per cent require few minor changes in vehicle configuration, but adoption of FFVs will future proof the design to adopt to any more changes in blending options and configuration. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/google-is-working-on-a-new-app-to-let-you-store-your-medical-records/articleshow/84059948.cms">Google is working on a new app to let you store your medical records</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/battlegrounds-mobile-india-official-download-link-how-to-update-bgmi-rewards/articleshow/84058116.cms">Battlegrounds Mobile India launched officially – here’s how to update, claim rewards and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/failure-to-pivot-covid-19-blues-force-amazon-backed-shuttl-to-look-for-a-buyer/articleshow/84056797.cms">Failure to pivot, COVID-19 blues force Amazon-backed Shuttl to look for a buyer</a>

Government may issue guidelines for 'flexible fuel' vehicles by October

One of the few positive outcomes of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is the commitment by major nations to achieve net zero carbon emissions by a certain year. <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> has also committed to becoming a net zero country by 2070. While some developed nations may have scoffed at this timeline, the reality is that nations with different developmental trajectories cannot (and should not) be treated equally. The major polluters must first walk the talk and then expect others to follow suit. While it is a never-ending blame game between the developed and developing nations, in the interest of humanity and for their own well-being, the nations must do everything within their powers to ensure that they keep their emissions under control. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Policy initiatives in India" comment="subhead" text="Policy initiatives in India">Policy initiatives in India</cmsannotation> India has taken several measures towards climate change adaptation and mitigation. Our statutory framework ensures that air and water pollution is prevented and controlled, forests are conserved and restored, biological diversity is protected, and energy is generated and utilised efficiently to ensure minimal environmental impact. The Government has launched various policy initiatives to work towards its climate change commitments. The national and state action plans on climate change aim at integrating such climate action into their modus operandi. Among national schemes, the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) focuses on clean mobility and is meant to promote the transition to electric vehicles by providing incentives for manufacturing, adoption and development of associated infrastructure for electric vehicles. Financial assistance is being offered at the central and state levels for developing solar and wind energy projects like solar parks, grid-connected solar rooftops in residential buildings, installing off-grid solar devices and solar-based LED lights. Initiatives like Gujarat Emissions Trading Scheme, Renewable Energy Certificate, Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme are all meant to promote renewables, reduce emissions and achieve energy efficiency at the central and state levels. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Recent impetus to climate action" comment="subhead" text="Recent impetus to climate action">Recent impetus to climate action</cmsannotation> Some important and innovative schemes initiated in India to combat climate change include the India Cooling Action Plan 2019, which aims to reduce direct and indirect emissions from energy-intensive cooling devices like refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. The National Clean Air Program 2019 aims to reduce air pollution and addresses several forms of harmful emissions. The National Hydrogen Mission launched in 2021 aims to help India achieve its climate targets by making India a green hydrogen hub. India is also targeting to increase the usage of alternative fuels to reduce emissions by blending 20% Ethanol in petrol by 2025. Moreover, policies like National Building Code, 2016, Energy Conservation Building Code, 2017, Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme, green energy rating system, star rating programme, etc., seek to promote sustainability in the construction sector by improving energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, recycling, etc. The union budget for the financial year 2022-23 also announced initiatives for financing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies through sovereign green bonds, blended finance, etc. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Local and regional climate action" comment="subhead" text="Local and regional climate action">Local and regional climate action</cmsannotation> In addition to the various central government initiatives being implemented across the country, various states are devising their own strategies and plan to combat climate change. States like Gujarat, Odisha, and <keyword id="20154" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tamil-nadu" source="Orion">Tamil Nadu</keyword> have constituted specific departments and cells to focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation. Kerala has announced a dedicated fund for this purpose and has issued green bonds to invest in climate resilience activities. <keyword id="13126" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="maharashtra" source="Orion">Maharashtra</keyword> has released the Mumbai Climate Action Plan to address climate change impacts in the coastal megacity and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. It is not just the central and state governments but also the corporates are taking active steps to combat climate change. More than sixty Indian companies have announced their net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets. Leading Indian companies, including <keyword id="8555" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tata" source="Orion">Tata</keyword>, Reliance, Mahindra, ITC, Adani Transmission, Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel, and Dalmia Cement, have voluntarily pledged to move towards carbon neutrality through GHG emissions reduction and energy efficiency. With environmental, social and governance (<keyword id="77363" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="esg" source="Orion">ESG</keyword>) issues gaining prominence and ESG reporting becoming mandatory for the top 1000 companies, almost all major companies are addressing ESG issues to set their house in order and adopt the best practices. Various Indian banks have also incorporated ESG considerations into their lending policies. Therefore, be it the government or the private sector, every stakeholder has realised the importance of climate action and is working to prevent the planetary crisis, which, not to forget, affects almost all living species, including humans. <keyword id="12498063" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="nawneet-vibhaw" source="Orion">Nawneet Vibhaw</keyword> is a <keyword id="6399933" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="partner" source="Orion">Partner</keyword> at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas &amp; Co. in the Environmental Law practice. This column is part of a year-long (2022-23) campaign on the theme “Only One Earth: Sustaining People, Planet and Prosperity” by Business Insider India’s <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability">Sustainability Insider</a>. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the author/interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India. The article has been partly edited for length and clarity.

OPINION: Towards a carbon-neutral India — How central, state governments, and corporations are striving to tackle the planetary crisis

New Delhi, Dec 1 () Indian alcohol manufacturers have approached NITI Aayog, seeking exemption of import duty on extra neutral alcohol (ENA), which is the primary raw material for making alcoholic beverages.
 The alcohol manufacturers have pleaded that there is a massive shortage in domestic supplies of ENA following diversion of ethyl alcohol for bio-fuel blending by oil marketing companies (OMCs) in the country.
 "Short availability of ENA (high-purity ethyl alcohol) has placed domestic alcoholic beverage industry in a precarious situation. Price of ENA, which was around Rs 45 per bulk litre until recently, is now breaching Rs 60 mark. Even at this price, the supply is uncertain and under stress," Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) Director General Vinod Giri said in a letter to NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.
 The CIABC, in its letter, said recent floods in Maharashtra and Karnataka have adversely impacted sugarcane crop in the region which shall worsen the supply of ENA even further and therefore, it is of the view that the Commerce Ministry may be advised to allow imports of ENA exempt from import duty until domestic supply improves. 
 High import duty is a big hinderance for import of ENA from international market. 
 The price of ENA in international market is around Rs 50 per litre. At current duty (150 per cent), imported ENA will cost Rs 125 per litre which is unsustainable. But with no or marginal duty, price can be at Rs 50 to 55 per litre. Availability of ENA at such prices will make it sustainable for the industry, the CIABC said.
 Reduced availability of the primary raw material endangers the survival of the industry and all those who depend on it for livelihood, it added.
 Alcohol industry contributes almost Rs 2 lakh crore by way of various taxes, sustains livelihood of nearly 40 lakh farmers, and employs nearly 20 lakh people directly and indirectly. 
 Tax revenues from alcoholic beverages consist of 20 to 40 per cent of most states' tax receipts. This way, the alcohol industry is one of the largest contributors to the Indian economy, it added.
 Terming the availability of ENA as a multi-ministry issue as it is also being used for bio-fuel, Giri said the Centre is pushing hard for blending ethanol in auto fuels to reduce import dependence in petroleum, but shortage of ENA and its growing costs will make the move economically unsustainable for OMCs and fail to achieve blending target from current level of 7.2 per cent to 20 per cent.
 "We have already said this to Petroleum Ministry in our letter written a couple of months ago," he added.
 According to CIABC estimates, annual ethyl alcohol production in the country is 420 crore litres. Of this, contracts concluded by OMCs for supply towards blending with auto fuel in the year 2018-19 were at 269 crore litres at current level of 7 per cent ethanol addition (blending with petrol). That leaves a balance of 151 crore litres for all other uses, whereas the demand is 260 crore litres.
 While alcoholic beverages industry needs 190 crore litres ethyl alcohol, chemical industry requires another 70 crore litres. There is a shortfall of 109 crore litres, which would only grow with higher levels of blending with fuel targeted by OMCs.
 Higher ENA cost will make blending a cost ineffective option for OMCs. It costs OMCs between Rs 35-40 for a litre of fuel, averaged for diesel and petrol if they source crude from international market at prevailing prices of around USD 58 a barrel and process it.
 It will severely impact their bottom lines if they are made to buy ethanol at a cost of Rs 50 plus per litre and blend it in a ratio of up to 20 per cent. Thus, a commercially sustainable policy is needed, the body pleaded.
 Demanding restriction in ethanol blending in auto fuels to realistic levels based on availability of alcohol, Giri said the government should immediately limit sourcing of ethanol for blending in fuel to molasses-based distilleries, cellulosic material-based distilleries and sugar factories.
 He further suggested that the government should also exclude grain-based alcohol from ethanol blending to make it exclusively available to potable alcohol industry,
 "We have urged the government to explore new innovative alternatives for making bio-fuel. Paddy stubbles which are being burnt causing air pollution in and around Delhi, for example, can be converted into ENA. Other sources like corn etc can also be looked into to generate ENA," he added. KKS RVK

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