Centre has set a target to raise the share of natural gas in energy mix to 15% in 2030

25 Mar 2022 , 02:37 PM

The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Rameswar Teli informed that the Government has set a target to raise the share of natural gas in energy mix to 15% in 2030 from about 6.7% now. Various steps taken by the Government in this direction include expansion of National Gas Grid Pipeline, expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, setting up of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminals, allocation of domestic gas to Compressed Natural Gas (Transport) / Piped Natural Gas (Domestic) CNG(T)/PNG(D) in no cut category, allowing marketing and pricing freedom to gas produced from high pressure/high temperature areas, deep water & ultra-deep water and from coal seams, Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiatives to promote Bio-CNG, etc.

As on 31.12.2021, PNGRB has authorized approximately 33,768 km length of Natural Gas Pipeline Network across the country. Out of this, 20,334 km length of natural gas pipelines including spur lines, are operational and a total of 15,194 km length of pipelines is under various stages of construction. The length of operational pipelines has increased from 16,368 kms on 31.03.2019 to 20,334 kms on 31.12.2021.

With the aim to increase coverage of CGD Networks in the country, Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorized 268 GAs for development of CGD Network in the country. Further, Letters of Intent have been issued for 21 GAs. Also, PNGRB has launched 11A CGD bidding round for development of CGD Networks in 6 GAs (covering 27 districts).

After that, the CGD network shall potentially cover 98% population and 88% geographical areas of the country. The number of CNG stations established by various authorized entities has increased from 1,742 on 31.03.2019 to 3,878 on 31.01.2022.

The pipelines being laid by the CGD entities has also increased from 1,61,992 inch kms to 3,52,961 inch kms on 31.01.2022.