Delhi-based Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) has asked the central government to consider ethanol-based cookstoves as a complementary cooking fuel solution in the wake of Gulf war triggered Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder shortage that is affecting households and commercial establishments across the country.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the association wanted the government to consider initiating an appropriate study or pilot programme through the concerned departments, oil marketing companies, and technical institutions to examine the technical feasibility, safety standards, and economic viability of ethanol-based cooking solutions in India.

"India has made remarkable progress in expanding access to clean cooking fuel through LPG, particularly under the transformative initiative of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. This has significantly improved the quality of life for millions of households across the country and is widely regarded as one of the most impactful social energy programmes. However, India continues to depend substantially on imported LPG to meet its growing cooking fuel demand. In the current global environment, the situation in the Middle Eastern region remains uncertain due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, which may have implications for global energy supply chains and pricing. Such developments highlight the importance of strengthening India’s long-term energy security by diversifying domestic energy options wherever feasible," C. K. Jain, president, GEMA said.

He also pointed out that India has successfully built a robust domestic ethanol ecosystem under the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme and the National Policy on Biofuels. "The expansion of ethanol production has not only supported the transport fuel sector but has also strengthened the agricultural economy and enhanced the country’s biofuel capabilities. In this context, ethanol-based cookstoves may present an opportunity to explore an additional application of domestically produced biofuels," Jain said.

According to the association, ethanol cook stoves are being adopted in several countries as a clean, smokeless, and efficient cooking solution. "Ethanol as a cooking fuel offers advantages including clean combustion, reduced indoor air pollution, and the ability to utilise a renewable fuel produced within the country. The introduction of ethanol cookstoves could be examined as a complementary option alongside LPG for both domestic households and commercial establishments such as restaurants, street vendors, and institutional kitchens. This could help diversify India’s clean cooking energy mix, enhance resilience in the cooking fuel sector, and create new avenues for the utilisation of domestically produced biofuels," he said.