Indian PM to dedicate 2G ethanol plant in Panipat to nation

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation a second generation (2G) ethanol plant tomorrow. The plant was built at an estimated cost of $11.31 million (Rs 900 crore) in Haryana’s Panipat.

The dedication of the plant is part of a long series of steps taken by the government over the years to boost the production and usage of biofuels in the country. This is in line with the prime minister’s constant endeavor to transform the energy sector to make it more affordable, accessible, efficient and sustainable.

The 2G ethanol plant has been built by the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and is located close to the Panipat Refinery.

Based on state-of-the-art indigenous technology, the project will turn a new chapter in India’s waste-to-wealth endeavors by utilizing about two lakh tonnes of rice straw (parali) annually to generate around three crore litres of ethanol annually.

Through reduction in burning of rice straw, the project will contribute to a reduction of greenhouse gases equivalent to about 3 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per annum, which can be understood as equivalent to replacing nearly 63,000 cars annually on the country’s roads.