FEBRUARY 20258INDIA SEEKING TO ADD 500 GW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2030HPCL EXPANDS VIZAG REFINERY TO MEET INDIA'S RISING FUEL NEEDSPrime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated India Energy Week 2025 on Tuesday, laying out an ambitious energy roadmap that underscores the critical importance of the next two decades for India's growth. He emphasized that the coming five years will To cater to India's ever-growing fuel consumption, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, the state-owned company, plans a massive expansion at its southern Indian Vizag refinery. The refinery is to be upgraded by 20% capacity in the process. The company TOP STORIESintends to add that much to its refining capacity, with India gradually cementing its position as the world's most significant refining center.HPCL Chairman Rajneesh Narang, speaking at the India Energy Week conference, revealed the company's plans. "We are exploring raising the (annual) capacity by 2-3 million (metric) tons (40,000-60,000 bpd). We have to take a board approval for this," he stated.HPCL recently expanded the Vizag refinery to 300,000 bpd. The company is likely to commission new secondary units, including a residue upgrade unit with a 3.5 million tpy capacity. This will improve its distillate yield by 10 percent and enhance GRM by $3 per barrel. A 2.6 million tpy diesel hydro desulphurize will be in operation shortly.In addition, HPCL is developing a petrochemical plant at its Barmer refinery in Rajasthan. This refinery is expected to start crude oil refining process by mid-2024 and would have the highest petrochemical intensity in India, at 26 percent.To optimize crude procurement, HPCL also set up a trading desk to negotiate better deals and reduce dependence on tenders. The company imports around 21 million tons of crude every year, with significant procurement occurring in spot markets. As India's energy landscape continues to change, HPCL's expansion plans reveal its commitment to refining efficiency and long-term sustainability. see the achievement of several major milestones, with many goals aligned with the 2030 target. Among these, the government aims to add 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, a target that represents a bold step forward in the nation's energy transition.In his address, PM Modi highlighted significant initiatives across various sectors. He pointed out that Indian Railways has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and that the country is on track to produce 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by the same year. Modi also noted that India has emerged as the third-largest solar power-generating nation globally, with its non-fossil fuel energy capacity tripled over the years. Additionally, he mentioned that the country has reached a 19 percent ethanol blending rate and is set to implement a 20 percent ethanol mandate before October 2025.The Prime Minister further underscored the rapid growth of India's biofuel industry, which is supported by a sustainable feedstock of 500 million metric tons. He highlighted the establishment of the Global Biofuel Alliance during India's G20 presidency--a collaborative initiative that has already attracted 28 nations and 12 international organizations, aimed at transforming waste into wealth and establishing centers of excellence in the biofuel sector.
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