Towards Sustainable Future: Role of Biofuels in India’s Energy Security

The country is following the path of sustainable development with targets such as achieving net zero emissions by 2070 and sourcing 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030. To expedite its progress towards sustainability, it needs to increase its reliance on sustainable energy solutions like biofuels to achieve energy security and its green targets way before the set deadlines.

September 12, 2023. By News Bureau

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In the midst of global uncertainties and tensions, India has emerged as a shining spot by performing remarkably well in terms of its economic growth. The country is already the fifth-largest economy and is going to become the third-largest very soon. The booming economy also means that in the coming period, India is going to witness rapid industrialisation, a massive infrastructure push, increase in transportation and urbanisation which will increase its energy demands significantly. It is encouraging that the country is following the path of sustainable development with targets such as achieving net zero emissions by 2070 and sourcing 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030. However, to expedite its progress towards sustainability, it needs to increase its reliance on sustainable energy solutions like biofuels to achieve energy security and its green targets way before the set deadlines.

The role of biofuels in addressing pressing environmental concerns has been acknowledged globally. Widespread adoption and increased biofuel production helped in substituting the use of more than 2 million barrels of oil per day in 2022. This amount accounted for approximately 4 percent of the world's oil demand for transportation, as per a report by IEA.

The statistics also say that global demand for biofuels is predicted to rise by 41 billion litres, or 28 percent, between 2021 and 2026 and India, Brazil and Indonesia will account for almost two-thirds of biofuel demand growth in 2023-24. At this juncture, it is great that India has again taken the leadership position in biofuel adoption by utilizing its G20 Presidency. Its move to form Global Biofuels Alliance with leading biofuel producers and users like Brazil, and the United States with additional interested countries in the coming period will not just help it achieve energy security but will further contribute in creating a positive global impact as well.

Why are biofuels important for India’s energy security?

Biofuels are non-fossil fuels that are cost-efficient and renewable alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. They include various kinds of fuels derived from biomass, such as solid, liquid, and gas fuels like bio-coal, methanol, ethanol, biodiesel, bio-oil, hydrogen, and methane. The great thing about biofuels is that they can be easily replenished, making them a sustainable choice. They can be used on their own as a fuel source or blended with petroleum fuels, without requiring any modifications to the existing infrastructure, and used in different ratios.

To encourage biofuel adoption, India which had earlier set a target of 20 percent ethanol blending by 2030 under the E20 program, has done phenomenally well and has advanced its target to 2025-26 which it is likely to achieve. This brings numerous advantages and according to Niti Aayog, implementing a successful E20 program in India can result in annual savings of USD 4 billion (approximately INR 30,000 crore). This amount represents about 35 percent of India's total expenditure on importing oil and gas.

Increasing the use of biofuels brings a lot of benefits for the country such as reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports, lowering carbon emissions and building a resilient and circular economy. A notable advantage that India can gain with biofuels is the diversification of its energy resources which is crucial for both energy security and energy independence that it aims to achieve in the coming years. The current volatilities caused by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and other factors, have further necessitated the need of having diverse energy resources to have stable, sustainable and secured energy solutions to meet the growing energy needs of the country.

Another advantage India has is that it faces no barrier when it comes to local production of biofuels. The country is blessed with a huge supply of biomass feedstock such as rice husk, sugarcane, wheat straw, agriculture and biodegradable waste which can be used in biofuel production. Producing biofuels locally can lower the requirement of importing petroleum products, decrease the government's expenditure on imported fuel and provide substantial cost savings.

Also, these green fuels are renewable, available in plenty and are a viable solution to ensure a continuous and sustainable energy supply. As biofuels result in reduced carbon emissions as compared to fossil fuels, promoting their use can significantly reduce environmental challenges like air pollution and help achieve carbon neutrality faster. The need is to increase production by investing in a robust infrastructure, technological development and policy support to promote energy self-sufficiency, empower farmers, create revenue, employment generation and support overall development.

In addition, the development and adoption of biofuels also drive technological innovations in crop science, biomass conversion, and renewable energy. India can significantly benefit by fostering research and development activities and encouraging scientific advancements in biofuels. For instance, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), made from renewable sources like biomass and waste, has the potential to match the performance of traditional jet fuel while reducing its carbon footprint. SAF enables airlines to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions from flights, offering a greener alternative. It can even surpass conventional jet fuel in terms of environmental impact, with some SAF pathways achieving a net-negative greenhouse gas footprint. This is one example that shows how cleaner alternatives can efficiently combat both simple and complex environmental problems with the help of technology and innovation.

India has to shift its energy dependence from traditional fossil fuels to sustainable energy solutions like biofuels as it is very critical for its future. By diversifying its energy sources, lowering dependence on fuel imports and integrating renewable energy sources, the country can easily navigate towards a sustainable future while achieving energy security.

- Kishan Karunakaran, CEO, Buyofuel