Hardeep Singh Puri stresses on Government target to increase gas up to 15 per cent in energy mix by 2030
Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister
Energy security to remain vulnerable until alternative fuels not
developed indigenously based on renewable feedstock: Hardeep Singh Puri
Union Minister of Petroleum
& Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri
highlighted the need for domestic production biofuels and said it will play a
pivotal role in achieving reduction in import of fossil fuel and ultimately
help to achieve the target of net zero emission. He was
addressing the Global Conference on Compressed Biogas (CBG)
in New Delhi today, which was organised by the Indian Federation of Green
Energy (IFGE).
Highlighting the need for alternative fuels, Hardeep
Singh Puri said, “Considering the limited domestic availability of
fossil fuels and import dependence for this, the energy security of the country will remain vulnerable until
alternative fuels to substitute/supplement fossil fuels are developed based on
indigenously sustainable renewable feedstock”.
The Minister said that the production of CBG would
have multiple benefits viz. reduction of natural gas imports, reduction of GHG
emission, reduction in burning of agriculture residues, providing remunerative
income to farmers, employment generation, effective waste management etc adding,
“Government of India has set a target to increase the share of gas in the
energy mix up to 15% in 2030 to make India a Gas-based economy. Presently we
are importing around 50% of our requirement of Natural gas. Speedy expansion of
CBG will help in meeting our additional requirement from domestic resources.”
Policies of the Government have enabled the
adoption of green renewable energy in the last 10 years. Hardeep Singh Puri
especially mentioned about the Sustainable Alternative Towards
Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Scheme and the use of agro-waste
to generate compressed biogas. He said, “Under SATAT
initiative various waste streams such as animal dung, agricultural residues,
MSW (Municipal Solid Waste), sewage water and industrial wastes such as press
mud, spent wash from sugar industry, food processing industry etc. is being
looked into as feedstock for production of Biogas/CBG.”
The Minister also shared India’s ambitious target to set up 5,000 commercial plants by 2024- 25 and
produce 15 MMT of CBG which would replace other gaseous fuels being used in
the country. He
mentioned that India had commissioned 46 compressed biogas plants
under SATAT Scheme and there were 100 outlets currently dispensing the
compressed biogas across the country.
Talking about the ecosystem, Hardeep Singh Puri
emphasised that present Government has been persistent in developing a conducive
ecosystem in order to promote sustainability for all actors of
the Triple Bottom Line (environment, society and economy). He
indicates how the Government has formulated policies, developed schemes
providing support through Central Financial Assistance, etc to support the
adoption of green energy in any form. He also mentioned that the Government is
engaging with other departments and ministries to simplify the regulations
further, resulting in easier adoption and implementation of projects. He
mentioned about Department of Fertilizers, which issued letter to Fertilizer
companies for mandatory offtake of FOM with chemical fertilizers as a
"Basket approach" and Central Pollution Control Board that included
plants under 'white category' status on case-to-case basis.
While mentioning the importance of green and clean
energy, the Minister stressed the need for generating renewable,
sustainable and indigenous energy sources that can supplement
other conventional energy sources in the short term and take over as the
primary source of energy in long run. In addition, the Hon’ble Minister
highlighted how Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), a by product of the
CBG manufacturing process, might be applied in the agricultural sector to
encourage organic farming and lower the usage of artificial fertilisers.
While talking about the financing of projects, he
indicated that Amrit Kaal Budget 2023 gives a huge boost to India's Bio-Gas and
clean energy revolution:
· With special attention given to CBG projects and announced
establishment of 200 CBG projects under the umbrella of GOBARdhan scheme,
· Five per cent CBG mandate will be introduced for all organizations
marketing natural and bio gas.
· To avoid cascading of taxes on blended compressed natural gas, excise
duty on the amount of GST paid on compressed biogas contained in the blended
CNG has been exempted.
Stressing about the inclusive growth approach of
the Government, Minister said agriculture & farmers are
integral part of it, which will benefit directly through more & more
penetration of green energy, particularly Compressed Biogas,
through the use of agricultural and animal waste largely available in the rural
India. He appreciated various States and their role in promoting the adoption
of green energy and particularly the Compressed Biogas and congratulated the
organisers for taking a step to further promote Compressed Biogas, which will
play an important role in boosting the country's energy basket and
strengthening India's energy security in the long run.