LPG shortages revive discussion on ethanol for cooking

Ethanol as a cooking fuel gains attention amid LPG shortages in India, highlighting potential benefits for farmers and energy security.

As the LPG crunch situation continues, conversations about alternative fuels are picking up. Cooking fuel from ethanol, a by-product of sugar production, is one of them.  

While a major ethanol producer of Asia, India does not yet have a nationwide, large-scale policy mandating ethanol as a cooking fuel.  

Pointing this out, Murugesh R. Nirani, former Minister and chairman of Nirani Business Group, said that under the prevailing circumstances of a shortage of LPG, the government should consider a policy that allows the use of ethanol stoves. 

“Ethanol is a relatively clean fuel and can be produced from sugarcane, maize, and rice. If recognised as a domestic fuel, it will provide a sustainable market for agricultural products and improve the income of farmers,” he said.

He also called for the use of ethanol stoves in hotels, hostels, and lodges, noting that there is excess production of ethanol in the country.  

“The total production is 2,000 crore litres per annum. But consumption is only 1,100 crore litres, which means 900 crore litres is the excess production,” he said, adding that use of locally produced fuel will also help the country become self-reliant.