Liquor may be hurdle to India’s energy independence
NEW DELHI : India, the world’s fastest growing guzzler of oil, is seeking to reduce its addiction to imports by using more sugarcane ethanol as fuel — but a mandate to supply molasses to the liquor industry in the top producing state is threatening to derail those plans.
In Uttar Pradesh state in northern India, there is a local government order requiring sugar mills to provide fixed amounts of molasses, a product of the refining process, to alcoholic drinks manufacturers at rates well below market levels, which means less is available to turn into ethanol for powering cars.
