India Advances in Clean Energy, but Import Needs Persist: Hardeep Puri

The energy sector in India is catching up with clean fuel utilization and domestic fuel production alongside its heavy dependence on the importation of fuel. Addressing the Pioneer Biofuels 360 Summit in New Delhi, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri said the country has been successful in fulfilling its burgeoning energy needs, but the situation is more than challenging and this should change.

"We already have 113 compressed biogas (CBG) plants operating and another 73 under construction," Puri said, citing bioenergy progress. He noted the surge in CNG-compatible vehicles as a “success story” for cleaner mobility.

The minister also pointed to the expansion of LPG access. "We have 33.5 crore LPG connections in the country, including 10.5 crore under the Ujjwala Yojana, yet we still import about 60 per cent of our LPG," he said, adding that efforts are underway to boost domestic output through enhanced refinery production and exploration and production (E&P) activities.

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Puri stated on natural gas that although the domestic sector is expanding by 18 percent every year, the level of imports is still high and stands at nearly 50 percent. 

"A country like India, which has these challenges, is moving in the direction of self-sufficiency, but it's going to take time," he stated. "Meanwhile, we will import, we will increase our production, and we've already diversified our import sources."

India, which is ranked third in the energy consumption of the world, requires approximately 5.4 million barrels of oil daily. It is already a net importer of oil, with 80 percent of oil and 50 percent of natural gas being imported by the country with about 40 countries as its source.

Puri restated that Atmanirbhar Bharat push is here to stay, and this involves clean energy growth, as well as strategic importation.