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Trying out something new every few weeks has almost become routine for India.
Now, the government is exploring ethanol as a cooking fuel, especially for commercial spaces like hotels and restaurants.
So, what’s cooking: there’s a proposal to tap into India’s surplus ethanol capacity, around 1,000 crore litres, and use it for cooking. A detailed plan is expected to be reviewed by a government panel soon.
But this isn’t about replacing LPG. Ethanol is being seen as a supporting fuel, a way to reduce import dependence, make better use of excess supply, and strengthen energy security.
Here’s some context. In India, ethanol is made from sugarcane, maize, and even broken rice. It’s already used as a cleaner fuel by blending it with petrol. But the version used for cooking would be different, and cheaper.
The timing also sits well. With tensions in the Middle East disrupting global energy flows, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, countries are looking for backup options.
That said, there’s no immediate concern around LPG. The government says over 53.5 lakh cylinders were delivered in a single day, showing supply remains steady.
Why push ethanol now: India has already invested nearly ₹40,000 crore in building ethanol capacity. About 1,100 crore litres are used for fuel blending, leaving a surplus of roughly 1,000 crore litres, and that number is only expected to grow.
