The Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) on Friday strongly refuted recent claims suggesting that one litre of ethanol consumes 10,000 litres of water, calling the figure “factually misleading and devoid of context.” The association clarified that the widely cited number refers to the total lifecycle water footprint including rainfall during crop cultivation and not actual industrial water usage. In contrast, modern ethanol plants in India consume only about 3–5 litres of process water per litre of ethanol, supported by high-efficiency systems. GEMA added that feedstock choices are also evolving, with maize largely rain-fed emerging as a preferred grain, reducing dependence on groundwater resources.
Addressing concerns around agricultural water use, GEMA emphasised that the issue is far more nuanced than often portrayed. Among key feedstocks, maize—now emerging as the leading grain for ethanol—is the least water-intensive and is largely rain-fed in India, reducing dependence on groundwater. In ESY 2023–24, grain-based ethanol overtook sugar-based production, reflecting a structural shift towards more sustainable inputs.
The association further noted that India’s ethanol debate has increasingly been reduced to a single question—whether blending fuel worsens water stress. “This framing is misplaced and incomplete,” GEMA stated, “as it ignores both the distinction between rainfall and industrial water use, and the larger national context in which ethanol operates.”
GEMA also highlighted the critical role of surplus and damaged grains in the ethanol ecosystem. The government allocates large quantities of broken rice annually for ethanol production—grain that cannot re-enter the food supply chain due to quality constraints and excess buffer stocks. “The water required to grow this grain has already been expended at the farm level. Converting it into ethanol is a waste-to-wealth solution that does not add to India’s water burden,” the association said.
India imports nearly 88–89% of its crude oil requirements, making energy security a critical national priority. The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has already delivered foreign exchange savings exceeding Rs 1.7 lakh crore, reduced CO₂ emissions by approximately 869 lakh metric tonnes, and substituted over 289 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil. It has also enabled farmer payments of over Rs 1.5 lakh crore, strengthened rural incomes and transforming farmers into contributors to both food and energy security.
Commenting on the issue, Dr. C.K. Jain, President, GEMA, said: “Calling ethanol a water guzzler is simply incorrect. The 10,000-litre figure is a misinterpretation that includes rainfall, not actual industrial usage. Today’s ethanol plants are highly efficient and continue to improve their water performance.”
Dr Jain added, “More importantly, calling grain ethanol a water villain is an attribution error. It misidentifies recent industrial activity as the cause of a structural agricultural challenge that has been building for decades. India cannot afford misinformation around a programme that is reducing oil imports, supporting farmers, and cutting emissions. Ethanol is part of the solution, not the problem.”
Looking ahead, GEMA noted that India’s policy framework is already evolving beyond E20, with regulatory pathways being developed for E85 and E100 fuels. Maize and agricultural residues are expected to play an increasingly important role in this transition, further improving the environmental profile of ethanol production.
The association reiterated that informed, data-driven discourse is essential as India advances towards greater energy independence. “India’s water challenges need serious and structural solutions. Misinterpreting ethanol’s role will not solve them, but it risks undermining one of the country’s most consequential energy programmes”.
First published on: 01 May 2026, 14:47 IST
