Long-term LNG contracts signed

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has launched the commencement of work for 10th City Gas Distribution (CGD) bidding round which will cover 50 Geographical Areas (GAs) in 124 districts.

Speaking on the occasion on 26 August 2019, Pradhan said India is the 3rd largest energy consumer of the world and will become top consumer in a decade.

The government aims to provide reliable, affordable, sustainable and universal access to clean fuel to all.

The present share of gas in the energy mix in the country is 6.2% compared to 24% globally, and

The aim is to increase share of natural gas to 15% in energy mix by 2030 from 6.2% at present. Comparatively, gas share is 24% in energy mix globally.

The Minister said that with rising consumption of energy in the country, the share of CNG will increase the most.

India will continue to harness multiple sources of energy, including fossil fuels, renewables, EVs and gas, he assured.

The hydrogen fuel driven vehicles have already been introduced in the national capital and several auto manufacturers have introduced new CNG models.

Even the coal will continue to have relevance, as Coal gasification plants are being set up, said Pradhan.

On the policy enablers to promote gas usage in India, he said that CGD has been granted ‘public Utility’ status.

Over Rs.5 lakh crore is being invested in gas infrastructure, which includes exploration, distribution, marketing, regasification, pipeline network laying, etc.

Domestic gas production is likely to go up to 39.3 billion cubic metre in 2020-21 from 32.87 billion cubic metre in 2018-19.

Present LNG terminal capacity of 38.8 MMTPA will be augmented to 52.5 MMTPA in next 3-4 years, said Pradhan.

Long-term contracts have been signed for importing LNG, and its sources are being diversified. The gas grid presently is 16,788 km, and work is in progress for additional 14,788 km.

The Minister said that suitable ambience is being created and bold policy decisions are being taken to ensure that country moves on the path of progress, import dependency comes down, and farmers prospers.

On the issue of waste to energy, Pradhan said that ethanol blending in petrol has gone up to 6% from 1%, and it would be taken to 20%.

Biodiesel is being promoted so as Recycle Used Cooking Oil (RUCO).

2G ethanol plants are being set up to convert surplus food grains into fuel.

Compressed Biogas is another field of development.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment to meet the COP-21 targets, the Minister said that the country will leapfrog next year from BS-IV to BS-VI.

He said that the issues concerning the setting up of Gas infrastructure are being sorted out in consultation with the state governments.

Lastly, Pradhan stressed on conservation and efficiency aspects, saying that new PNG burners can save up to 40%, compared to retrofitted burners. fiinews.com