HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Feb 26: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced on Wednesday that India is planning to increase its target for blending ethanol with gasoline to over 20%.
A committee has been formed under NITI Aayog to look into this initiative, he said.
Speaking at the Advantage Assam 2.0 investment summit in Guwahati, Puri highlighted that 19.6% ethanol blending has already been achieved.
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“We are considering blending more than 20% biofuel. An NITI Aayog group has already been established to explore this,” he said.
The Union Minister further emphasised, “Biofuel blending is nearing 20%. Achieving this target six years ahead of schedule under the leadership of PM @narendramodi ji demonstrates that India’s efforts are on the right track.”
Regarding India’s Green Hydrogen revolution, Puri stated, “In the field of green hydrogen, we are employing technology used in submarines. Thanks to the efforts of PM @narendramodi ji, electrolyzer manufacturing companies from around the world have joined India’s campaign. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has given new momentum to this sector.”
Despite the challenges in India’s development, Puri affirmed that all fossil fuel production sectors are expected to reach net zero by 2045.
“The economic performance of any nation is assessed based on its energy utilization because energy is the backbone of a country’s economy, its lifeline. India’s crude oil consumption has been rising and is expected to increase by 20%-30% in the near future,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Puri lauded the Assam government’s ambitious initiative in organizing the investment summit, stating, “The Advantage Assam 2.0 program marks the beginning of a new future, not just for Assam, but for the entire Northeast. This program is connecting the world with Assam’s progress and opportunities. The potential of the Northeast will give a fresh impetus to India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation.”
“I am also grateful to have joined this event in Guwahati, alongside the state’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and shared my views on India’s energy potential,” he added.
Meanwhile, CM Sarma took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts, stating, “It was a privilege to listen to Hon’ble Union Minister Shri @HardeepSPuri Ji’s insights on the dynamism of India’s energy sector at #AdvantageAssam2. India has set an ambitious vision to transition to green energy and is achieving its goals ahead of schedule. Assam is committed to significantly contributing to this vision set by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and is already making progress toward meeting its green energy targets.”
“I was also honored to join the Hon’ble Union Minister in signing an important MOU between the Government of Assam and @ONGC_ and in dedicating the City Gas Grid projects by @AdaniOnline,” he added.
“At the previous Advantage Assam Summit, the Ministry of Petroleum announced plans to bring a gas grid from Barauni to Numaligarh—a 1600 km pipeline,” The chief minister mentioned.
“Despite Assam accounting for 14% of India’s total gas production, the state’s domestic output can only meet 7-8% of the country’s demand due to increasing industrialization and the City Gas initiative. You have disproven the misconception that Assam’s gas is being used elsewhere by completing the 1600 km pipeline and the Northeast gas grid in record time. For Assam’s development, we are instead importing gas from other parts of the country and the global market,” he concluded.
