From the Editor’s desk: Rapid transition towards Bioenergy is the need of the hour

We are in the first week of April and sweltering heat in large parts of India has become an issue. Temperatures are ranging above +40 degrees in several parts of the country. The IMD has cautioned people regarding prevailing heat wave conditions for both April and May. This coupled with depleting water table levels in several important cities of the country has underlined the threat of incessant urbanisation and global warming. Bengaluru is already bearing the brunt. The Silicon Valley of India has dwindling water reserves which has caused heartburns for people and policy makers. The national capital is always hogging the headlines as the most polluted city in the world.

In this context, the need for rapid transition towards bioenergy generation is the call of the hour. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has reiterated time and again the need for the speedy substitution of petrol, diesel and other pollution-causing fossil fuels with biofuels. The Ethanol Blending Programme is one of the cornerstones of this policy. Several policy initiatives from the Government have helped in the rapid expansion of ethanol production capacity within sugar mills and standalone distilleries. The measure to allow ethanol production from foodgrains apart from sugarcane was another watershed moment in promoting ethanol production. The national agenda towards green and clean energy doesn’t get restricted to ethanol.

There are other ambitious targets to produce Compressed Bio-gas from municipal waste, crop residue etc., Green Hydrogen, Sustainable Aviation Fuel etc. However, the proliferation of these green energy generation would require huge investments and a thriving market.

This will require the Government to prepare both short-term and long-term policies to give that surety and guarantee to the producers. The Government and the industry have to come together and join hands for a synchronised effort to ensure a smooth transition towards green energy, much needed to instil hope in our cities and towns.