India’s ethanol blending push has hit a major milestone, achieving 20% mixing with petrol six years ahead of the 2030 target, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Tuesday. Speaking in New Delhi, Puri shared exciting updates on the country’s green energy drive and future plans.
“We smashed the 20% ethanol blending goal way early,” Puri said. “Now, we’ll review the progress and decide on higher targets based on how the entire ecosystem is adapting.” The ethanol blending programme, launched to cut India’s reliance on crude oil imports and slash carbon emissions, has come a long way. Back in 2014, blending stood at just 1.4%, but it jumped to 10% by 2022—five months before the deadline.
Not everyone is on board, though. Car owners and automakers have worried that E20 fuel, which mixes 20% ethanol with petrol, might harm engines or reduce mileage. Puri dismissed these concerns, calling the stories “inaccurate.” He explained, “If you’re driving from Delhi to Gurugram every day, there are 21 reasons your car’s efficiency might dip by 1-2%. Biofuels aren’t the culprit.”
Puri also highlighted big changes in India’s energy sector since 2016. The Oilfield (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill has sparked fresh interest from global oil giants, who now want to team up with Indian public sector units like ONGC. This could revive key offshore sites, including the Mumbai High basin.
In a proud moment, Puri praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching India’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant in Assam. “It’s a game-changer in our energy journey,” he said. Looking ahead, India aims to boost its energy and industrial muscle, with plans for 2,200 global capability centres by 2030. These hubs could create 2.8 million jobs and rake in over $100 million in revenue.
On green hydrogen, Puri is optimistic. “We’re confident we can drive down costs to under $3 per kilogram, making India a global leader,” he added. Wrapping up, he credited Modi’s vision for turning challenges into wins. “India will soon outpace Germany in growth rate,” Puri predicted.
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