India’s total refining capacity currently stands at 258.1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) and is projected to increase to 309.5 MMTPA by 2030. Alongside this expansion, the Petrochemical Intensity Index of public sector refineries is expected to rise from 4.1 to about 9.3 once ongoing and planned refinery projects are completed.

The Government has introduced a series of initiatives to expand the use of cleaner fuels such as biofuels, green hydrogen and liquefied natural gas. Under the Ethanol Blending Programme, the target of achieving a 20 per cent ethanol blend is being pursued, supported by broader feedstock availability to increase ethanol production.

The Pradhan Mantri Jaiv Indhan–Vatavaran Anukool Fasal Awashesh Nivaran (PM JI-VAN) Yojana provides financial assistance for advanced biofuel projects, including sustainable aviation fuel. To boost compressed biogas production, the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme has been launched, alongside supporting interventions such as the Biomass Aggregation Machinery scheme and Direct Pipeline Infrastructure to connect CBG plants with the existing gas network.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to support the production of five MMTPA of green hydrogen by 2030, strengthening India’s transition towards clean energy. The Government has also taken steps to expand LNG availability across key sectors by developing LNG terminals and fuelling stations.

Cleaner fuels such as biofuels, green hydrogen and LNG can reduce emissions across multiple sectors, including transport and hard-to-abate industries such as cement, iron and steel. Their adoption is expected to lower overall emission intensity, support low-carbon industrial growth and contribute to India’s national climate commitments.

This information was provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Suresh Gopi, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.