India achieves 15% ethanol blending; aims for 20% by 2025: Hardeep Singh Puri
New Delhi: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced India’s achievement of 15% ethanol blending in May, with a 20% target set for 2025. Puri also highlighted the commissioning of a 10 MW green hydrogen plant and ongoing green hydrogen projects. The minister noted a significant expansion in LPG coverage under the Ujjwala scheme, with connections rising from 14 crores in 2014 to 32 crores, and upcoming enhancements in oil production and refining capacities through BPCL and IOCL projects.
New Delhi: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that the country successfully achieved 15 per cent ethanol blending in May and is on track to reach the 20 per cent target by 2025.
Addressing the media upon assuming office, Puri emphasized the accelerated goal, originally set for 2030, demonstrating India’s commitment to enhancing its energy matrix. “In the month of May only, we were able to cross 15 per cent of ethanol blending. Based on the current progress, I am reasonably confident that the 20 per cent blending target will be completed by the year 2025,” he remarked.
In addition to biofuel integration, Puri highlighted the launch of green hydrogen projects as part of India’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions. “The first green hydrogen plant (10 MW) was commissioned on 27th May 2024, even as elections were on. Many of our Oil PSUs are in the process of issuing tenders for the supply of green hydrogen,” said Puri. He also noted the operational green hydrogen station at Kochi, servicing buses from Kochi Airport, marking a significant step towards sustainable public transportation.
Puri also touched on the broader energy landscape, including the successful expansion of LPG coverage under the Ujjwala scheme and forthcoming increases in oil and gas production. “Our LPG connections have increased from 14 crores in 2014 to 32 crores now, and oil production from the 98/2 well will soon reach 45,000 barrels per day,” he added.
The minister further discussed the ongoing projects aimed at bolstering the nation’s refining capabilities. “BPCL is in the advanced stage to set up greenfield refineries, and the Cauvery Basin Refinery by IOCL at Chennai is coming up, which will further enhance our refining capacity,” Puri said.
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