The Government of the Union is expanding the country Strategic oil reserves (SPR) to strengthen Energy security and reduce dependence on imported crude oil. According to ANI reports, Indian Strategic Petroleum reserve Limited (ISPRL) has established SPR facilities with a total capacity of 5.33 million metric tons (MMT) in Vishakhapatnam (1.33 mmt), mangaluru (1.5 mmt) and Padur (2.5 mmt) ,,,,
The Minister of State for the Union for Tourism and Petroleum, Suresh Gopi, in a written response to Lok Sabha, said the government had approved the creation of two additional SPR facilities in July 2021. These reserves, with a combined storage capacity of 6.5 mmt, will be established in Chandikhol (4 mmt) in Odisha and Padur (2.5 mmt) in Karnatak Partenikhhol) through a partnshol model). He added that the government and oil marketing companies continually evaluate options to improve storage capacities based on technical and commercial viability.
To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the government is promoting natural gas and biofuels. Gopi highlighted the Gasoline mixed with ethanol The program (EBP), which allows oil marketing companies to sell gasoline mixed with ethanol, and biodiesel mixing initiative, Ani reported. The EBP program is directed at 20% of the ethanol mixture in gasoline by 2025, with a growing change towards the grain -based ethanol from corn and surplus rice.
Government data shows that ethanol production has increased significantly, and grain-based ethanol represents 51% of total production in 2023-24. Concerns about food security persist, but officials argue that India produces a surplus of food grains. According to the Department of Agriculture and Welfare of Farmers, the production of Cereals of India exceeds domestic consumption, with damping actions that exceed the rules for five years.
It is projected that the ethanol industry will save rs 40,000 million rupees annually in crude oil imports and reduce carbon emissions by 10 million tons. With the expansion of cultivated areas for food and biofuel cultures, experts say that ethanol production is aligned with economic and environmental objectives.
