India to expand natural gas pipeline network by 10,805 km to boost energy access
India plans to expand its natural gas pipeline network by 10,805 km, creating a national grid. The government aims for 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025, with current blending at 16.23%. It has also made strides in compressed bio-gas (CBG), with mandatory blending starting in FY 2025-26. Refining capacity is set to grow by 2028.
New Delhi: India is set to greatly expand its natural gas pipeline network by 10,805 km. It will add to the current 24,945 km operational network, as part of the government’s push to form a national gas grid. The expansion aims to make sure consistent availability of natural gas across all regions, improving energy accessibility.
As part of its renewable energy goals, India is also working toward achieving 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol by 2025, under the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme. By December 2024, ethanol blending had reached 16.23 per cent, up from 14.60 per cent the last year. Over the last decade, the initiative has saved Rs 1.08 lakh crore in foreign exchange, reduced CO2 emissions by 557 lakh metric tonnes, and resulted in Rs 92,400 crore in payments to farmers.
Govt boosts CBG
That apart, the government has made strides in the compressed bio-gas (CBG) sector under the SATAT initiative, commissioning 80 CBG plants, with 72 more under construction. From FY 2025-26, blending CBG into CNG and PNG will become mandatory, beginning at 1 per cent and increasing to 5 per cent by FY 2028-29. The ministry also reported huge progress in the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, with 17,939 charging stations and 206 battery-swapping stations installed at retail outlets across India by December 2024.
India’s refining capacity is poised to grow from 256.8 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) to 309.5 MMTPA by 2028, supported by ongoing projects at 11 public sector refineries and the establishment of new greenfield refineries.
Gas production up
In terms of domestic gas production, the country saw an increase from 34.45 billion cubic metres (BCM) in FY 2022-23 to 36.44 BCM in FY 2023-24. The Ministry also reported 13 hydrocarbon discoveries under the Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP) and 12 others under various contractual regimes during FY 2023-24.
To streamline pipeline tariffs, the government introduced a unified pipeline tariff in July 2024, setting a levelised rate of Rs 80.97/MMBTU, supporting the “One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff” system. India remains focused on reducing its dependence on energy imports by boosting domestic production and integrating renewable energy solutions. Currently, Rs 5.7 lakh crore worth of oil and gas projects are in progress, with Rs 79,264 crore slated for FY 2024-25.
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Source : News 9
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