Biofuels in India: potential, policy and emerging paradigms
This policy paper addresses the rapidly evolving energy sector of India and the growth of first-generation biofuels as an alternative to fossil-based transportation fuels. The paper assesses the broad ramifications of the rapid and large–scale development of biofuels in India with the objective of identifying production potential and constraints to biofuels development. It covers the range of feedstocks that are being considered currently for first-generation biofuels, and discusses their current production potential, as well as the agronomic and economic factors that enhance or limit their future growth. Besides, addressing a number of issues related to the competitiveness of the emerging biofuel supply chain, it also highlights some policy reforms and interventions that seem to be necessary to the future efficiency and continued viability of this sector.