(FE)
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri talks about how biofuels and green hydrogen will fuel a $7–10 trillion economy vision. While talking to CNN News 18 he said, “India has already achieved 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol—six years ahead of the original target of 2030.” He revealed that the country is making strong progress in its journey towards cleaner fuels.
Achieve ethanol blending of even 5 per cent blending was difficult in past: Puri
Puri shared with CNN News18 how challenging it was to push ethanol blending in the past. He said, “When I was ambassador to Brazil, the government of the day in Delhi wanted 5 per cent blending in 10 of our states and union territories. We tried our level best. We couldn’t do it. Because the ecosystem wasn’t there.”
He then recalled his journey when he became an oil minister. “We had set a target of 10 per cent blending by November 2022. I used to be anxious. Will we be able to do it? But we tried our best. By May of 2022, five months before the deadline, we achieved 10 per cent,” he said.
20 per cent milestone saves Rs 1.5 lakh crore: Puri
India had originally aimed to reach 20 per cent blending by 2030 but the target was met in early 2025. “We did it six years in advance,” he said to CNN News18.
This achievement not only reduces the country’s carbon emissions but also saves huge amounts of money. “In the process, we have saved Rs 1 lakh crore upwards. Rs 1.5 lakh crore of foreign exchange because of the import bill, and we have given that to our farmers,” he explained.
Puri said India is now one of the top ethanol blending countries
India now ranks among the top ethanol-blending countries globally. “If you look at the overall blending, I think we should be the second largest blending country in the world. Brazil is way ahead. Its base fuel used to be blended at 26 or 27 per cent; they are taking it up to 34. We are already at 20 per cent,” he said.
The country is now discussing whether it should raise the blending target further. “We now have a healthy debate. How much more do we have to blend? 25 per cent more?” he added.
The minister highlighted that India already has the infrastructure to increase blending. “We have got a capacity in biofuels of 1700 crore liters. We are only using 1100 crore litres. So, I still have capacity there,” he said in conversation with CNN News18.
Green hydrogen and EVs in focus
Puri also stressed that India’s clean energy vision extends beyond biofuels. He said green hydrogen and electric vehicles are key pillars of India’s future economy.
“People don’t fully comprehend the green hydrogen story. Or the electric vehicle story. Electric vehicles are more visible. But green hydrogen, we have already made significant progress,” Puri said.
With these initiatives, India is aiming to fuel its journey towards becoming a $7–10 trillion economy in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.
