Karnataka aims to reduce fossil fuels by increasing ethanol production

Karnataka, which ranks third among sugarcane-growing states in the country, is coming up with a new ethanol policy that will provide for bigger profits for sugarcane growers. Ethanol can also be used to make disinfectants, sanitisers, medical spirit and bio-compressed natural gas.

If all goes well, Karnataka will be the first state in the country to reduce its dependence on petrol and diesel with the state government aiming to increase production of ethanol, which is allowed to be blended at 20 per cent with motor fuels. This will also likely bring down prices of petrol and diesel.

There is an increased demand for ethanol after the Union government stressed on blending 20 per cent of ethanol with petrol and diesel. But none of the states have been able to produce even 10 per cent of ethanol required.

According to the data, in the last one year, the state government has okayed proposals to produce 5,185-kilo litres per day of ethanol from sugarcane at 18 production units.

Three of these projects will be set up at an investment of Rs 5,850.18 crore. Of the 18 companies, five have been granted approval to produce ethanol, not only from sugarcane but also from rice, corn and wheat bran.