Karnataka home to largest ethanol plant in Asia, says Vijay Nirani

BENGALURU: Announcing his company’s ambitious plan to enhance renewable energy production, Vijay M Nirani, managing director of MRN Group, on Thursday said that Karnataka is leading the nation in the renewable energy sector and is home to largest ethanol production plant in Asia.

He was participating in the panel discussion on the theme ‘Reinventing the energy ecosystem: Future of energy generation in the world’, held at Bengaluru Palace here on the sidelines of Global Investors Meet.

Thanking the central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the state government, headed by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Vijay Nirani said there is a huge scope for the production of ethanol in the state.

Vijay M Nirani, managing director of MRN Group participated in a panel discussion on Thursday.

“It’s not just sugar, there are several byproducts of sugarcane, including ethanol, which is produced from molasses. We need to move away from fossil fuels and the usage of ethanol will help reduce pollution. We have already achieved PM Modi’s vision of achieving 20 per cent ethanol blending target. There are plenty of opportunities for the investors in this sector. We have reached the capacity to surpass the demand”, Vijay Nirani said.

Echoing PM Modi’s vision of doubling farmers’ income, Vijay Nirani said that MRN Group has been working to enhance farmers’ income. “Sugarcane byproducts, our agro-based industry, and multiple methods including conversion of diesel engines into bio-CNG engines in tractors helping farmers save their expenses”, Nirani added.

He said that ethanol production didn’t impact the sugar supply and contended that sugarcane cultivation has increased manifold and is witnessing vertical growth. He also stressed the need for judicious use of water for sugar cultivation and conservation of energy.