The Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) has urged the government to consider introducing ethanol-based cookstoves as an additional clean cooking option for both households and commercial users in India.
In a letter to the Prime Minister and other ministers, GEMA President CK Jain suggested that ethanol cookstoves could be used alongside LPG in homes, restaurants, street food stalls, and institutional kitchens. He said this would help diversify India’s clean cooking energy mix, strengthen the fuel supply system, and create better use of domestically produced biofuels.
GEMA has also recommended that the government launch studies or pilot projects involving relevant departments, oil marketing companies, and technical institutions. These would evaluate the safety, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of ethanol-based cooking solutions in the Indian context.
Jain highlighted that India still relies heavily on imported LPG to meet its growing cooking fuel demand. He pointed out that ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia could affect global energy supplies and prices, making it important for India to expand its domestic energy options for long-term security.
He also noted that India has already developed a strong ethanol ecosystem under the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme and the National Biofuels Policy. This has supported the transport sector, boosted the agricultural economy, and strengthened the country’s biofuel capabilities.
According to Jain, ethanol cookstoves could open up a new use for this domestic fuel. Such stoves are already being adopted in several countries as a clean, smokeless, and efficient cooking solution. Ethanol offers benefits like cleaner combustion, reduced indoor air pollution, and the use of a renewable fuel produced within the country.
If proven viable, ethanol cookstoves could become a reliable additional clean energy option for consumers while supporting India’s goals of sustainable energy, rural development, and improved energy security. GEMA has also said it is ready to support the government in further discussions and technical evaluations on the subject.
