India to be self-reliant in energy by year 2030

Kolkata, Apr 17: India will acheive energy independence by 2030, according to an Eastern India Energy Summit report, 2007.

Speaking on the occasion, Reliance Industries Limited (LNG Business) president R P Sharma said RIL would commence its supplies by 2008.

Stressing on other options of fuel, Mr Sharma said unconventional hydrocarbon, a new option, would have to be explored.

He said the share of oil would come down and that of the natural gas would go up in the next few years.

Talking about India's oil demand, the summit report stated that the long term growth in demand of petroleum products depends upon economic growth, elasticity of demand for petroleum products with respect to GDP growth, relative price levels of substitute products like LNG/CNG, saturation of LPG demand and the impact of energy conservation measures.

India needs to grow its energy share in a market with sluggish growth in supply and rising prices, and its share of world supply of fossil fuel would rise from 3.7 to 7.6 per cent during 2031-32.

Regarding the options, the summit said coal, shale gas, gas hydrocarbobn and oil shale had to be unleased for a better tommorow as the fossil fuel cannot bridge the gap between the ever growing demand and limited supply.

The Gondawana have coal reserve of 240 billion ton and can provide fuel till 2032, the summit further stated.

Mr Suresh Mathur, Director (Oil and Gas) Essar Group, said India uses 25 per cent of the total natural gas produced, whereas it produces only nine per cent and will soon replces gasolene and LPG forms of fuel.

He further said the energy demand by 2012 would be 283 mmscmd and the delay in supply could be a major cause of concern.

He, therefore, suggested development of coal transportation infrastructure for import and use of coal, institute policies that would maximise domestic coal production and develop transportation infrastructure, including alternatives such as coastal and river movement.

With an total investment of USD 200 billion, the product of natural gas is likely to start by 2011, said the RIL president.

Talking about their major projects, he said several gas pipelines would be constructed in the eastern zone connecting Kakinada-Howrah, besides several distribution blocks would be established on the Mahanadi offshore, Asom belt and West Bengal.

UNI