Empowering India's Energy Transition with Biofuels: A Sustainable Future Ahead
Key Ideas
- Biofuels, along with green hydrogen, are pivotal in India's energy transition towards sustainability and carbon neutrality.
- The biofuel sector in India shows immense potential, surpassing agriculture in scale, and requires further R&D for commercial viability.
- Biofuels, derived from renewable sources like plants and algae, are considered carbon-neutral, offsetting CO2 emissions, and offering a cleaner fuel option.
- India's focus on biofuels is evident through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, aimed at boosting the advanced biofuel sector and extending its scope to include various feedstocks.
During a special event on World Biofuel Day in New Delhi, experts highlighted the crucial role of biofuels in India's energy transition. Ramakrishna YB, a biofuel expert, emphasized the sector's potential, surpassing agriculture in scale. He stressed the need for extensive research and development to make biofuels commercially viable for sustainable energy production. Biofuels, derived from renewable organic matter, are seen as a solution to the climate crisis, offering a cleaner and greener alternative to traditional fuels. The carbon-neutral nature of biofuels, where CO2 emissions are balanced by plant absorption during growth, enhances their appeal as a sustainable fuel source. These biofuels, together with green hydrogen, are central to India's energy transition plans, aiming for net zero emissions by 2070 and increasing renewable energy in the electricity mix. The Union Cabinet's approval to extend the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana until 2028-29, focusing on advanced biofuels from various feedstocks, showcases India's commitment to promoting a sustainable future through biofuels.