India's E20 push aims at energy self-reliance

India's rollout of 20% ethanol blending in petrol (E20) is driven by long-term energy self-reliance goals rather than geopolitical disruptions like ongoing Middle East conflict, with scope to raise blending levels further given surplus capacity and feedstock supply, said CK Jain, President, Grains Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA).

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"E20 is not based on the war; it has only one concept, self-reliance in energy, and that is most important. Why should we depend on others when we have our own produce?" Jain told ANI.

India began full-fledged rollout of E20 from April 1, which Jain described as a checkpoint rather than the end goal, noting that both feedstock availability and investor participation have now been established.

"E-20 was a checkpoint whether the investor will come or not, whether the feedstock is available or not. Now we are in a situation where feedstock like surplus grain is available, and capacity has been created," he said.