https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

India Accelerates Clean Energy Drive, Eyes Self-Sufficiency Amid Rising Fuel Demand: Hardeep Singh Puri

India boosts clean energy with E20 ethanol blending, biogas expansion, and SAF production, aiming for energy self-reliance amid rising fuel demand.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Friday outlined India’s multifaceted approach to achieving energy self-reliance, even as the country continues to rely heavily on fuel imports to meet its burgeoning energy demands.

Speaking at the Pioneer Biofuels 360 Summit in the national capital, Puri spotlighted India’s advances in bioenergy, ethanol blending, and natural gas production, while emphasizing the need for continued import diversification and domestic production ramp-up.

read also: PAHAL Scheme Blocks Over 4 Crore Fake LPG Connections; Aadhaar Compliance Reaches 92.44%: Hardeep Singh Puri

India’s Bioenergy Push Gains Ground

Puri announced that 113 compressed biogas (CBG) plants are currently operational, with another 73 under construction, reflecting growing momentum in the clean energy space. The adoption of CNG-compatible car models was cited as a success story in India’s journey towards a greener transport ecosystem.

“India’s ethanol journey is unstoppable,” the Minister declared during a fireside chat, adding that ethanol blending stood at just 1.53% in 2014, and has now reached 20% (E20)—five years ahead of the original 2030 target.

He attributed this achievement to robust policy support, including guaranteed ethanol pricing, flexibility in feedstock usage, and the expansion of distillation capacity. Ethanol blending, Puri stressed, is more than a fuel strategy—“it is about empowering Annadatas (farmers) and turning them into Urjadatas (energy providers).”

Debunking Myths Around Ethanol

Amid concerns raised by certain industry lobbies, Puri reassured that no engine failures or breakdowns have been reported since E20 became the base fuel 10 months ago. He cited Brazil’s long-standing use of E27 fuel as proof of the blend’s safety and effectiveness.

Highlighting the ₹1.4 lakh crore saved in foreign exchange and over ₹1.21 lakh crore income to farmers from ethanol procurement over the past 11 years, he called the shift a “transformational move” that contributes to both climate goals and rural prosperity.

Domestic Production Rising, But Imports Still Critical

Despite this progress, India still imports 80% of its oil and 50% of its natural gas. The Minister acknowledged this dependency, stating:

A country like India, which has these challenges, is moving in the direction of self-sufficiency, but it’s going to take time.”

India’s natural gas production is growing at 18% per year, while domestic refineries and exploration efforts are being expanded. At the same time, India has diversified its oil and gas imports from about 40 countries, underscoring its efforts to reduce geopolitical risk.

LPG and Energy Access

The country has made significant strides in energy access, with 33.5 crore LPG connections, including 10.5 crore under the Ujjwala Yojana. Yet, Puri noted that India still imports 60% of its LPG, illustrating the scale of energy demand.

read also: “Not Worried at all”: Hardeep Singh Puri Dismisses US Sanctions Over Russian Oil

Roadmap for Future: Flex-Fuel and SAF

Puri also touched upon the next phase of ethanol blending—moving towards E25, E27, and E30 fuels. Indian automobile manufacturers, he said, have already begun rolling out E85-compatible flex-fuel vehicles, supported by SIAM and BIS standards.

On Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), he revealed that a blending mandate has been introduced, with targets of 1% SAF for international flights by 2027 and 2% by 2028. Indian Oil’s Panipat refinery has already started producing SAF from used cooking oil, showcasing innovation in India’s green transition.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
UP Government Uttar Pradesh Yogi
Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Govt Transfers 8 IAS Officers, Appoints Masoom Ali Sarwar as Waqf Board CEO
Y-Puran-Kumar
Haryana IPS Y Puran Kumar Suicide: IAS Wife Amneet Kumar Files Complaint Against DGP and SP Over Explosive Note
shastri-bhawan
“I Just Couldn't Take It Anymore” - The Untold Story Behind CSS Officer Deepak Khoda’s Suicide Attempt at Shastri Bhawan | Exclusive Interview
grse mou
GRSE Signs Strategic MoU to Boost Indigenous Development of Advanced Naval Navigation Systems
Mazagon_Dock_Shipbuilders_Ltd_Organizes_Diwali_Mela_
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) Hosts Diwali Mela to Boost Vigilance Awareness and Empower Rural Self-Help Groups
NALCO_MOU_
NALCO Foundation Signs MoU to Boost Skill Development and Livelihood Opportunities for Rural Youth
Concor
Dividend Alert: CONCOR to Announce Q2 FY26 Financial Results and Second Interim Dividend on November 11
ircon and coal india
Coal India Partners with IRCON to Strengthen Rail Network for Seamless Coal Transportation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Jitendra Baghel MPPSC
7 Years, 4 Interviews, Now Dy.SP: How Jitendra Baghel Cracked MPPSC Through Relentless Struggle
Jitendra Baghel’s inspiring journey from a humble farming background to MPPSC Dy.SP showcases relentless...
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
UP Government Uttar Pradesh Yogi
Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Govt Transfers 8 IAS Officers, Appoints Masoom Ali Sarwar as Waqf Board CEO
Y-Puran-Kumar
Haryana IPS Y Puran Kumar Suicide: IAS Wife Amneet Kumar Files Complaint Against DGP and SP Over Explosive Note
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT