Minister Hardeep S Puri Reaffirms PM’s Vision: Elevating Natural Gas Share from 6% to 15% in India’s Energy Mix

Setting the Stage: IEW 2024 in Goa

In a significant stride towards shaping India’s energy future, the inaugural edition of the International Conference of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulators was held under the auspices of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) from 5th to 8th February 2024, coinciding with the India Energy Week (IEW) 2024 in Goa. This prestigious conference brought together key stakeholders, including major South and Southeast Asian National Energy Regulatory Authorities, international industry leaders, and policymakers.

Charting Pathways: The Conference Theme

With the theme “Navigating Pathways for Natural Gas Development,” the conference underscored the pivotal role of natural gas in accelerating emission reduction efforts crucial for achieving climate goals in emerging and developing countries. Deliberations across five plenary sessions spanned a wide spectrum of topics, encompassing geopolitical uncertainties, rapid infrastructure development, public-private partnerships, and institutional growth, shedding light on the multifaceted dimensions of natural gas development.

Leadership’s Vision: Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s Address

Addressing the gathering, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s visionary goal of increasing the share of natural gas in India’s energy mix from 6% to 15%. He commended PNGRB for spearheading this initiative and proposed integrating the international regulatory conclave of oil and gas regulators as a permanent feature of IEW. Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson of PNGRB, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of regional collaboration for formulating effective regulatory frameworks.

Urgency of Action: Role of Natural Gas as a Transition Fuel

Throughout the conference, esteemed speakers emphasized the criticality of integrating natural gas into the energy mix as a transition fuel towards achieving net-zero emissions. They highlighted the geopolitical uncertainties impacting energy supply to developing countries and underscored the importance of collective action from the global south to secure energy supply. Discussions also spotlighted India’s regulatory and infrastructure development efforts, particularly in the city gas distribution sector, aimed at providing reliable and affordable clean energy solutions.

Forging Partnerships: Towards a Regional Clean Energy Agenda

The conference served as a nexus of expertise, fostering networking opportunities, knowledge exchange, and partnership building among diverse stakeholders. Industry leaders advocated for a regional clean energy agenda between South and Southeast Asian nations, emphasizing the need for interconnected gas and electricity grids to promote clean energy adoption and bolster energy security.

In essence, the International Conference of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulators marked a significant milestone in shaping the future of natural gas development, laying the groundwork for collaborative efforts to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable energy landscape.

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