ONGC director's big push for E20 petrol: Can cut imports, boost self-reliance
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) Director Om Prakash Sinha on Monday said E20 petrol can significantly cut imports and boost India’s self-reliance, while stressing that technology will be key to making higher ethanol blending work without affecting consumers.
Speaking at the curtain-raiser for India Energy Week (IEW) 2027 at the ONGC Institute of Reservoir Studies in Ahmedabad, Sinha also said India has the world’s highest incremental energy requirement, making IEW an important platform to discuss the country’s energy needs, challenges and solutions.
The Ahmedabad programme was virtually connected to the main curtain-raiser event held in Kolkata, where IEW 2027 is scheduled to take place from January 28 to 31 at the New Town Convention Centre, according to an official release.
Sinha said, "E20 petrol is a challenge, but with technology there will also be a solution. We import around 90 per cent, so if we can successfully blend ethanol at 20 per cent without causing any difficulties to consumers, then you can understand how significant the reduction in imports would be and how much it would increase our self-reliance."
He also said countries are trying to reduce their dependence on foreign sources amid the war in West Asia.
Referring to energy security, Sinha told reporters, "Because of the war, every country today understands that we should reduce our dependence on foreign countries as much as we can. We should not have only one option; we should keep multiple options. If one of the routes is closed, we should have alternatives so that the requirements of our people are not affected.
Work is already being done on this front." He added that ONGC is increasing its focus on frontier and less-explored areas, including deepwater regions, to expand domestic production.
According to the release, the 2027 edition of IEW is expected to bring together more than 75,000 energy professionals and over 700 international exhibitors, offering a platform to showcase innovation, support strategic engagement and build long-term partnerships. Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and organised by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry, IEW has emerged as India’s flagship international energy platform.
The event will focus on energy security, affordability, sustainability, decarbonisation and technological innovation, and will feature specialised areas covering renewable energy, hydrogen, biofuels, LNG, city gas distribution, petrochemicals, digitalisation and AI, Make in India and net-zero solutions.
Overall, Sinha’s remarks linked the push for E20 petrol, wider efforts to reduce import dependence and the need to expand domestic production with the broader discussions expected at India Energy Week 2027 in Kolkata.- Ends
