A Combined meeting of the four task forces on Methanol was held under the chairmanship of Member, NITI Aayog, Dr.V.K.Saraswat in the capital yesterday. The task forces comprised of experts, scientists and academicians took stock of the progress in the efforts to explore and give a push to Methanol economy in the country.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Chairman of the Methanol Task Force group and Member, NITI Aayog, Dr.V.K.Saraswat said Methanol has emerged as a clean, cheaper, safer and pollution free energy option which can be used for transportation fuels and cooking fuel. India has the potential to undertake the production of Methanol from high ash coal using indigenous technology with the help of industry.

Besides existing facilities can be ramped up to convert the high ash coal, stranded gas, and Biomass into Methanol. He added that by upscaling the production of Methanol, India can reduce its crude oil import bill substantially. Dr. Saraswat emphasized that Methanol would supplement various energy solutions being explored by the Government to reduce its dependence on crude oil imports. 

Methanol is a clear and colorless liquid produced from natural gas, coal and renewable biomass including the solid waste. Experts in the Methanol Task Force are of the opinion that in collaboration with various agencies, academia and industry the objectives of Methanol production and upscaling are feasible based on availability of the resources and technology. The four task forces were set up six months ago and since then a series of meetings and deliberations have taken place to explore and give a push to methanol economy in the country. 

Methanol economy expansion could diversify energy supply and reduce dependence on crude oil imports through domestic feedstocks. The coordinated initiative recommends producing methanol from high-ash coal, stranded gas, biomass and solid waste by upscaling and retrofitting existing facilities using indigenous technology and industry participation, positioning methanol as a cleaner fuel for transportation and cooking that can supplement energy solutions and help reduce crude oil import dependence through interagency, academic and industry collaboration.