Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India is advancing its clean energy transition through a diversified approach that combines renewable energy expansion with alternative and low-carbon fuels. The ethanol blending programme has resulted in foreign exchange savings of about Rs 1.59 lakh crore, reduction of 813 lakh metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, and substitution of 270 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil since 2014, reflecting the role of biofuels in reducing import dependence and emissions.
Biofuels form an important bridge between conventional fuels and cleaner energy systems, allowing emission reductions without large-scale changes to existing vehicle and fuel infrastructure. Alongside biofuels, India is scaling up initiatives in green hydrogen, sustainable fuels, and other emerging low-carbon technologies. The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, as amended in 2022, advanced the target of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26. Under the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme, average ethanol blending reached 19.05 per cent on July 31, 2025, indicating steady progress towards the target.
Clean cooking access
Energy transition outcomes also depend on household-level adoption of cleaner fuels, particularly in cooking. Accordingly, access to clean cooking energy has been significantly expanded under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), with the number of beneficiaries reaching about 10.41 crore as of January 2026. To achieve saturation of LPG coverage, the Government has approved the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections during FY 2025-26.
Ensuring affordability is critical for sustained adoption of clean cooking fuels beyond initial access. Affordability is being ensured through a targeted subsidy of Rs 300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to nine refills per year for PMUY beneficiaries. As a result, LPG usage has shown a sustained increase.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Indicative Blending Targets: The Union Government has set indicative blending targets for SAF in Aviation Turbine Fuel for international flights at 1 per cent from 2027, 2 per cent from 2028 and 5 per cent from 2030.
Global leadership
As India’s energy transition progresses, engagement with international energy platforms has become important for understanding global market developments, sharing implementation experiences, and contributing to collective responses on energy security and sustainability.
As a large and growing energy-consuming economy, India participates in international discussions on energy security, transition pathways, and clean fuels, drawing on lessons from domestic programmes implemented at scale.
India’s participation in platforms such as the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) and the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group reflects its emphasis on practical and inclusive approaches to energy transition. In addition to formal multilateral forums, India Energy Week serves as an international platform for dialogue among governments, industry, financial institutions, and technology providers. The event supports structured knowledge exchange platforms on energy markets, investment, clean energy technologies, and transition pathways, complementing ongoing international and multilateral engagements.
India Energy Week
Held in Goa from January 27 to 30, the platform highlighted India’s expanding role in shaping global energy conversations, particularly from the perspective of emerging and developing economies.
The event witnessed participants from over 120 countries and more than 6,500 conference delegates at a critical moment for global energy markets, geopolitics, and climate action. Launched in 2023, India Energy Week has evolved as a platform for international dialogue across the global energy value chain. The fourth edition of the event brought together energy ministers, top leaders, financial institutions, international organisations, technology providers, and academic institutions to examine issues related to energy security, investment, affordability, and clean energy transition, with perspectives relevant to both emerging and advanced economies. The IEW 2026 witnessed policy-level discussions and implementation-focused exchanges through its strategic and technical tracks. To sum up, India’s energy landscape has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, supported by policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, and targeted clean energy interventions.
Progress across hydrocarbons governance, gas connectivity, fuel and mobility infrastructure, biofuels, and clean cooking has strengthened energy access, improved system resilience, and reduced emissions intensity. These developments reflect a transition approach that emphasises scale, implementation, and inclusion while responding to rising energy demand.
