4 May 2021.
Introduction:
Union Minister of Petroleum Shri Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off the first supply of used cooking oil-based biodiesel on May 4,2021. It was launched under the Expression of Interests Scheme.
Highlights:
- It was launched in 2019.
- It was launched for the procurement of bio diesel produced from used cooking oil.
- It mainly aims to create a system for collection and conversion of Used Cooking Oil into biodiesel.
- Between August 2019 and November 2020, that is, during the first phase of the scheme, eleven Expression of Interests were received.
- To begin with 7% biodiesel extracted from the Used Cooking Oil is to be doped in diesel.
- Biodiesel is an alternate to “fossil fuels”.
- Bio diesel can be produced from animal fats, vegetable oil, waste cooking oil.
- Also, the main advantage of using bio-diesel is its carbon-neutrality.
- Also, it is completely non-toxic, biodegradable.
Scene Today
- So far, the Indian Oil has issued 23 Letter Of Interests for Biodiesel plants with total capacity of 22.95 crores of litres.
- Currently, India produces 23 million tonnes of edible oil annually.
- Of this, three million tonnes of oil is discarded after use.
- This is addressed to as the Used Cooking Oil. India has potential to generate 222 crore litres of Used Cooking Oil.
- Unfortunately, India lags a structure to collect this waste cooking oil.
- The feedstock availability in biodiesel is a challenge.
- Thus, using Used Cooking Oil will help India achieve its target of 5% Biodiesel blending at the earliest.