India shifts towards clean energy

India will see an investment of about Rs 1.2 lakh crore in the roll out of city gas network in almost 300 districts by 2030 as a massive expansion is planned for CNG dispensing stations and pipelines supplying cooking gas to household kitchens.

CNG stations retailing the environment-friendly fuel to automobiles has expanded from 938 (five years ago) to 1,769 and will further be expanded to 10,000 by 2030.  CNG-run vehicles are expected to cross 2 crore, up from about 34 lakhs now. Household kitchens getting piped cooking gas has doubled to nearly 52 lakh and licences awarded would take the number to 5 crore by 2030. 

Oil regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has, in one year, awarded licences for setting up city gas distribution networks in 136 GAs. While Rs 70,000 crore investment was committed in 86 GAs awarded in the 9th city gas bid round in August last year, another Rs 50,000 crore was committed in the 50 GAs awarded in the 10th round in March this year. 

The massive expansion of city gas distribution network is a part of government efforts to raise the share of natural gas in the energy basket to 15 per cent by 2030 from current 6.2 per cent. Natural gas is cleaner and environment-friendly fuel and is intended to replace some of the polluting coal and liquid fuels consumed currently. 

With the completion of 10th bidding round, CGD would be available in 228 GAs comprising 406 districts spread over 27 states and Union Territories covering approximately 70 per cent of India's population and 53 per cent of its geographical area. 

In the 10th bid round, 2 crore piped natural gas connections have been committed to be given and 3,500 CNG stations will be set up. Besides, a 58,000-inch kilometer of steel pipeline will be laid for the supply of gas.