World Biofuel Day 2018

World Biofuel Day 2018

World Biofuel Day 2018, with an aim to create awareness about importance non-fossil fuels i.e. the Biofuels, as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels was observed across the World on Friday August 10, 2018 and on that occasion India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, while addressing a diverse gathering, consisting of farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs, students, government officials, and legislators, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi said that biofuels can provide fresh momentum to India in the 21^st  century. He added that it is fuel produced from crops, which can change lives of people in both villages and cities. Prime Minister released a booklet on “National Policy on Biofuels 2018.” He also launched “PARIVESH”, “Proactive and Responsive Facilitation, by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single-window Hub” for speedy environment clearance of projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented a Tulsi Plant by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the World Biofuel Day celebration at the Vigyan Bhavan.

Sir Rudolph Diesel, inventor of Diesel Engine, had for the first time on this day of August 10 in 1993 successfully run a mechanical engine with Peanut Oil and predicted that vegetable oil will replace the fossil fuels in the next century to fuel different mechanical engines.

“Ethanol blending programme was started during Vajpayee government. But previous governments did not take ethanol programme seriously. Now we will produce 450 crore litre of ethanol in next four years from existing 141 crore litre. It will result in import savings of ₹12,000 crore,” Modi said while addressing the event to mark World Biofuel Day.

Prime Minister said that schemes such as Jandhan, Vandhan and Gobardhan are helping to transform the lives of the poor, the tribal population, and the farmers. He said that the transformative potential of biofuels can be realised only through the participation of students, teachers, scientists, entrepreneurs and the people. He urged everyone present to help take the benefits of biofuel to the rural areas.

• Biofuels or Green fuels or non-fossil fuels are renewable, bio-degradable, sustainable and environmental friendly fuel
• Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been observing the World Bio-fuel Day for last three years.
• India meets more than 80% of its oil needs through imports.
• A roadmap was prepared for the Ethanol Blending Programme after 2014.
• This move helped save foreign exchange worth ₹4000 crore last year, and the target is to take this number to about ₹12,000 crore over the next four years besides providing benefit to farmers.
• Ethanol saves not only country’s foreign exchange, but environment as well.
• India is promoting biofuels for reducing its crude import bill as well as laying thrust on use of electricity, particularly from renewable sources,.
• Union Government is investing significantly in the effort to transform biomass to biofuel.
• India has planned to set up 12 modern biofuel refineries at an investment of ₹10,000 crore.
• Ethanol blending in petrol increased from 38 crore litres in the ethanol supply year 2013-14, to an estimated 141 crore litres in the ethanol supply year 2017-18.
• Bio-diesel blending in the country started from August 10, 2015 and in the year 2018-19, Oil Marketing Companies have allocated 7.6 crore litres of biodiesel.
• Government will achieve 10% ethanol blending in petrol by 2022 and is targeting to double it to 20% and 5% biodiesel blending by 2030.
• A large number of employment opportunities will be created in the process as one refinery will generate employment for 1,000-1,500 people.
• Bio-CNG plants numbering 175 have been set up in the country and expressed hope that soon people would see vehicles running on this source of energy.
• He lauded the efforts of his government for fixing the minimum support price of 14 kharif crops at 1.5 times the cost of production to boost farmers’ income.