At the 7th Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community (G-STIC) Conference in Delhi, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, underscored India’s commitment to addressing the global energy trilemma: balancing affordability, availability, and sustainability. The conference, hosted in India for the first time, focused on the theme “Harmonizing Technology, Policy, and Business Pathways for a Sustainable Future.” Shri Puri emphasised the complexities faced by democracies in managing energy transitions and highlighted the importance of technological innovation for developing sustainable energy solutions, especially across the Global South.
As global energy demand continues to rise, India’s energy consumption is projected to grow significantly, from the current 5.4 million barrels per day to 7 million barrels per day by 2030. India is expected to contribute 25% of the global energy demand increase over the next two decades. In light of this, affordability remains a key challenge in ensuring a smooth energy transition. Shri Puri pointed to India’s innovative efforts in sustainable transport, with hydrogen-powered buses currently in the demonstration phase, as a testament to the country’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
Another significant achievement highlighted by the Minister was India’s progress in ethanol blending, which has grown from 1.53% in 2013-14 to 16% today. The government has advanced its target of 20% ethanol blending from 2030 to 2025, reflecting a proactive approach to energy sustainability. Shri Puri also shared plans to develop a roadmap for sustainable energy solutions beyond the 20% target, illustrating a forward-thinking strategy to meet future energy demands.
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The Minister also spoke about the success of the Ujjwala scheme, which has expanded access to cooking gas for economically weaker sections of society. Since its launch in 2016, the number of LPG cylinder connections has increased from 140 million to 330 million, helping lift 250 million people out of poverty. Shri Puri further noted the transformative potential of green hydrogen in shaping India’s future energy landscape, stressing the importance of reducing production costs and scaling technology to make green hydrogen a viable energy source for the nation.
