In India, BioEnergy Times reported that a committee formed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recommended the voluntary blending of 5% ethanol with petrol, based on commercial viability and consultations with oil marketing companies.
The panel, headed by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, was tasked with exploring fuel-blending options. It submitted its findings to the Prime Minister’s Office, which has asked the committee to present the report to the deputy prime minister, according to the report.
The report also noted that industry sources said Pakistan’s current ethanol production from sugarcane crushing stands at around 400,000 to 450,000 tons per year. Most of the output is exported due to attractive international prices, although some ethanol has been used domestically for blending into E10–E15 fuels.
The committee also analyzed pricing trends and found ethanol to be consistently cheaper than petrol, with an average difference of $225 per ton. However, it noted that ethanol’s lower energy content requires its price to be 20–30% lower than petrol to be cost-effective. The panel also recommended significant investment in ethanol storage and blending infrastructure, as per the media report.
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