GS paper II

News Excerpt:

To keep pace with advancements in the biofuels sector and attract more investment, the Union Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, has approved modifications to the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana.

More details about the News:

• The updated scheme extends the implementation timeline by five years, now running until 2028-29. 
• It also broadens the scope to include advanced biofuels produced from lignocellulosic feedstocks such as agricultural and forestry residues, industrial waste, synthesis gas, algae, and more.
• To encourage innovation, the scheme will now prioritize project proposals that introduce new technologies and diverse feedstocks.

Significance of Amendment

• The initiative is designed to provide farmers with a profitable outlet for agricultural residues, address environmental pollution, generate local employment, and contribute to India's energy security and self-reliance.
• Additionally, the scheme supports the development of advanced biofuel technologies and aligns with the Make in India Mission.
• It plays a crucial role in helping India achieve its ambitious target of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2070.

Blending of ethanol in petrol

• The Government has been promoting the blending of ethanol in petrol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, with Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) selling petrol blended with ethanol.
• Ethanol blending increased from 38 crore litres in the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2013-14 to over 500 crore litres in ESY 2022-23, raising the blending percentage from 1.53% to 12.06%.
• OMCs are on track to achieve the 20% blending target by the end of ESY 2025-26.
• To reach this goal, it is estimated that over 1,100 crore litres of ethanol will be required in ESY 2025-26, necessitating the installation of 1,750 crore litres of ethanol distillation capacity to meet both blending needs and other uses (potable, chemical, pharmaceutical, etc.).
• To meet these ethanol blending targets, the government is also focusing on alternative sources like 2nd Generation (2G) Ethanol (Advanced biofuels).

About Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana

• To encourage the development of 2G ethanol capacity in the country and attract investment in this sector, the "Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan-Vatavaran Anukool Fasal Awashesh Nivaran) Yojana" was launched on March 7, 2019.
• This scheme provides financial assistance to 2G Bio-ethanol projects.
• Under this scheme, the first 2G Ethanol Project by Indian Oil Corporation Limited in Panipat, Haryana, was dedicated to the nation in 2022.
• Other 2G commercial projects being developed by BPCL, HPCL, and NRL in Bargarh (Odisha), Bathinda (Punjab), and Numaligarh (Assam) are also nearing completion.