India Energy Security
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Energy
Source: TH
Context: India’s Petroleum Minister highlighted India’s energy strategy, biofuel achievements, and green hydrogen push in an op-ed, as India became the 4th largest global economy in 2025 with $4.3 trillion GDP.
About India Energy Security:
Need for Energy Security in India:
• High Demand Growth: India is set to contribute 25% of global energy demand by 2047, necessitating assured, affordable, and clean energy access.
• Strategic Sovereignty: Energy sufficiency reduces dependence on volatile global markets and enhances national security.
• Development Imperative: With 6.7% growth in Q1 2025, uninterrupted energy is critical for sustaining infrastructure, manufacturing, and services expansion.
• Urban-Rural Linkage: Energy security ensures equitable development across states through city gas networks and rural LPG penetration.
• Global Commitments: India’s net-zero goal by 2070 and INDCs require energy diversification and sustainable energy systems.
India’s Multi-Pronged Energy Strategy:
• Diversification of Sources: Increased imports from new suppliers and promotion of domestic production to reduce oil dependency.
• Expansion of Exploration: OALP and DSF reforms doubled exploration coverage from 8% (2021) to 16% (2025), and targets 1 million sq km by 2030.
• Pricing Reforms: Gas linked to 10% of Indian crude basket, 20% premium for new wells enhances investment and urban gas access.
• Infrastructure Expansion: India now has 24,000 km of product pipelines and 96,000 fuel outlets, ONGC and Oil India added 75 MMtoe via new discoveries.
• Digital Governance: PM Gati Shakti digitally mapped 1 lakh+ energy assets; enabled cost savings of ₹169 crore via route optimization.
India’s Focus on Green Energy:
• Ethanol Success: Blending rose from 1.5% (2013) to 19.7% (2025), saving ₹1.26 lakh crore in forex and paying ₹1.79 lakh crore to distillers.
• Green Hydrogen Push: 8.62 lakh tonnes tendered, IOCL awarded 10 KTPA plant at Panipat, and NRL to pioneer hydrogen in NE.
• Compressed Biogas: 100+ plants under SATAT, targets 5% blending by 2028 to reduce agri-waste and boost circular economy.
• Pipeline Growth: National gas pipeline spans 25,000 km and projected to hit 33,000 km by 2030.
• Hybrid Leases: 2024 amendment allows hydrocarbons and renewables on same oilfield, boosting low-carbon transitions.
Conclusion:
India’s energy journey has shifted from anxiety to self-assurance. With strategic planning, infrastructure expansion, and green innovation, India is building a secure, sustainable energy future that aligns with its development goals and global climate pledges.
• Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objectives? Explain. (2022)