India is exploring the possibility of increasing ethanol blending with petrol beyond 20%, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Wednesday at the Advantage Assam 2.0 investment summit in Guwahati. The minister highlighted that the country has already achieved a 19.6% ethanol blending rate, marking significant progress in its energy transition efforts.
India’s Ethanol Blending Ambitions
Speaking at the summit, Puri said, “We are considering blending more than 20% biofuel. A group under NITI Aayog has already been established to explore this possibility.” This move aligns with India’s broader goal of reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions as part of its commitment to sustainable energy practices.
Despite challenges in development, Puri noted that all fossil fuel production companies in India are expected to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, reinforcing the country’s focus on clean energy solutions.
Assam’s Energy Infrastructure and Expansion
At the summit, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the Centre’s commitment to strengthening the state’s energy infrastructure. He cited progress from the previous Advantage Assam Summit, where the Ministry of Petroleum announced plans for a 1,600 km gas grid from Barauni to Numaligarh.
Sarma addressed concerns over Assam’s natural gas production, stating, “Although Assam accounts for 14% of India’s total gas production, our domestic output meets only 7-8% of the country’s demand due to rapid industrialization and the expansion of city gas services.”
He further clarified misconceptions regarding gas distribution, noting that the completion of the 1,600 km pipeline and the Northeast gas grid ensures that Assam’s gas is not being diverted elsewhere. Instead, Assam is now importing gas from other regions and the global market to meet its growing energy needs.
Strengthening Assam’s Role in India’s Act East Policy
The Advantage Assam 2.0 summit served as a key platform to solidify Assam’s role as the gateway to India’s Act East Policy, focusing on:
- Enhancing regional connectivity
- Boosting trade opportunities
- Strengthening cross-border collaboration
By positioning Assam as a strategic hub for economic and energy expansion, the summit reinforced the state’s growing significance in India’s broader geopolitical and economic strategies.
The Road Ahead
With India already nearing its 20% ethanol blending goal, the move to further increase biofuel integration signals a strong commitment to cleaner energy solutions. Meanwhile, Assam’s energy infrastructure expansion is expected to play a pivotal role in regional development and national energy security.
As India continues its push toward sustainability and energy self-reliance, ethanol blending and natural gas infrastructure improvements are set to transform the nation’s energy landscape in the coming years.
