Welcome to the first issue of the Biofuels newsletter! In order to keep pace with the changing times, the growth of this newsletter was a natural and essential process as we also have to take note of the huge potential of biodiesel. Although the ethanol and biodiesel programs are at different stages of development in India, both are at critical junctures in their own unique way. In this context, Winrock’s Annual Biofuels Conference, scheduled for May 19 & 20, 2003 in Delhi, is being organized at a most appropriate time to take up important and relevant issues concerning various stakeholders. The Conference will also provide a platform to share experiences, assist in preparing a clear and pragmatic strategy, formulating practical action plans, information dissemination and an unequivocal expression of solidarity to renewable and environment-friendly sources of energy.

This volume carries several important articles, including those by:

• Shri Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, who had taken a bold initiative in introducing ethanol, and now talks on the prospects of biofuels. He has been quite candid when he says, "...the petroleum industry has had a mindset of using only fossil fuels. However, I can assure you that with the successful implementation of the ethanol program, this mindset has changed." In his Address, he has expressed explicit support to the ethanol & biodiesel programs.
• Shri Sharad Yadav, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in his interview, has expressed his views on the ethanol program including the encouragement provided by his Ministry and the benefits of utilizing ethanol.

  Other articles are by:

• Mr Raje and Dr Bedi from IOC (R&D), which has provided the first delivery of biodiesel to the Railways;
  Dr Kumar from NOVOD Board, that is now undertaking pilot plantations on a countrywide basis;
  Mr Chhabra, COOIT, representing an industry that could play a major role in the biodiesel program;
  Mr Balasubramaniam from ISMA that is at the forefront of promoting ethanol; and a very interesting technical write-up on ethanol from biomass by Paszner Technologies.

It has been only a couple of months since large scale blending of ethanol has begun. Tremendous tempo has been achieved in capacity building of ethanol production facilities - it is reported that nearly 300 million liters per annum of capacity is under implementation. Indeed, the world acclaimed Indian spirit of entrepreneurship has been unleashed inspite of the daunting odds and potential roadblocks ahead. However, for the momentum to remain, clear signals must continue to flow from the Government (at the Centre and States) that it is committed to promoting this program, which is beneficial to India. Another issue worth examining is the introduction of the concept to vary the blend percentage in petrofuels according to the supply and demand position on an annual basis.

On December 31, 2002, the biodiesel program also received a major psychological boost when the railways successfully operated the Amritsar Shatabdi Express on 5% biodiesel. The Railways and IOC (R&D), which produced the biodiesel, deserve to be congratulated for being farsighted, bold, and innovative. The biodiesel program is still in its conceptual stage. Discussions have been going on for more than 6 months since the Government announced its intention to take up this program. However, it is reported that the concerned authorities are working overtime to formulate a detailed plan, policy framework and a road map for this important biofuel which may be extremely beneficial for rural India. We hope this program will pick up momentum once it comes off the drawing boards. The phase-wise Plantation Program of TBOs is likely to take a few years, and therefore it is all the more important to take up this Program on a large-sale at the earliest.

While the proponents of biofuels feel the progress should be faster, there are others (anti-biofuels lobby) who propagate that the Government has acted in undue haste in introducing this program. Inspite of efforts of these detractors, it is apparent that there is widespread support for the Biofuel Program not only in India, but globally. Biofuel programs in other countries continue to gather momentum - in USA the ethanol, and lately the biodiesel, programs continue to grow at unprecedented speed (see Global Highlights). New ethanol plants of huge capacity (more than 30 times the Indian average) are being set up.

Thank you readers for your sustained efforts to provide valuable feedback and support during this exciting journey to the realm of biofuels!