Margao: Centre has no immediate plans to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond the existing 20% target, Union petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday, dismissing concerns about E20 fuel compatibility and allegations of engine damage as a “contrived narrative” driven by misinformation.Speaking on the sidelines of the 29th Energy Technology and Innovation Meet in Betul, Puri said the ethanol-blending programme had generated savings of Rs 1.6 lakh crore, of which Rs 1.4 lakh crore had gone back to farmers. The programme strengthened farmers’ role in the energy economy, transforming them from traditional ‘Annadatas’ (providers of food) into ‘Urjadatas’ (providers of energy), he said.“In so far as biofuels are concerned, 20% was the target, and there is no desire, just now, to increase it beyond 20%,” Puri said.Rejecting allegations that E20 petrol caused engine damage, he said vehicles designed and certified to use the blended fuel were compatible with it, while older vehicles, particularly those manufactured before 2003, could face compatibility issues. He also suggested that some complaints could stem from fuel transportation and handling practices.Puri argued that widespread engine damage would have been evident given that around six crore vehicles visit fuel stations daily.At a subsequent news conference, Puri said India had strengthened its resilience against disruptions arising from the West Asian crisis by diversifying crude oil imports and increasing domestic production.India now imports crude oil from 41 countries, compared with 27 earlier, he said. Domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production had increased from 34,000 metric tonnes per day to 55,000 metric tonnes per day.India has also expanded LPG imports from the US after initially arranging to source 10% of its requirements from the country. The US now accounts for 67% of India’s LPG imports, Puri said.India’s refining capacity is expected to reach 290 million tonnes per annum in the current period and increase to 300 million tonnes by 2030. With global refining capacity declining, India is positioned to strengthen its role as an international refining hub, he said.The country currently exports around one million barrels of petroleum products daily, with volumes expected to rise as new capacity comes on stream.Puri also highlighted the expansion of India’s gas pipeline network from 14,000km to 25,600km, with a target of 33,000km by 2030.Green hydrogen could help reduce the country’s dependence on energy imports if production costs fall to around $2 per kg from the current level of more than $3, he said.Emphasising the need to commercialise innovations in the energy sector, Puri said around 60-70 start-ups were being considered for support under govt’s MC² initiative. Eligible ventures could receive assistance of up to Rs 2.5 crore, alongside research partnerships, mentorship, funding and industry linkages.
