New Delhi: India is advancing its energy transition with a goal of achieving net zero by 2070 and sourcing 50 per cent of its electricity needs from non-fossil sources by 2030. However, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has made it clear that a complete transition away from fossil fuels is not possible.
Speaking to APAC Media on 7 March, he emphasized the necessity of a phased and parallel approach to energy transition.
No Immediate Complete Transition Possible
Addressing the feasibility of a total shift to renewable energy, Puri highlighted the vast reserves of fossil fuels and the impracticality of exhausting them entirely before moving to green energy.
“The world’s known reserves are immense of fossil fuel. Will you want to exhaust all before you go for green energy? I don’t think so. But there will come a time when you will say that it is no longer worth going for polluting hydrocarbons,” he stated.
He added that a complete transition is not viable due to the long phase required for the coexistence of fossil fuels and green energy.
Puri pointed out that even electric vehicles (EVs) do not offer a full transition unless the power grid itself is green.
“Electric Vehicles, unless the grid is green, an EV doesn’t give you full transition. So to answer the question in as simplistic and demystified manner: No, I don’t think you can switch from one to the other. That is the problem with climate activists, they got that part wrong. There has to be a long extended phase, concomitant availability of both—fossil fuels and green energy—with the movement clearly in the direction of greener and total green.”
He also stressed that advancements in green hydrogen could accelerate the transition in India, particularly if costs drop to $2–$2.5 per kg. “What does a green hydrogen bus produce on the road? Only water vapor—much better than the toxicity,” he noted.
India’s Energy Partnership
Since US President Donald Trump has emphasized his administration’s goal of establishing energy dominance, with his statement ‘Drill, baby, drill’ signaling a potential new era for the country’s energy sector, questions arise about India’s response.
On India’s energy imports and global sourcing strategy, Puri confirmed that the US is already a major supplier. He highlighted the fact that India already buys crude oil worth $20 billion from the US and can buy more. To clarify, he also said that there is no political preference when it comes to selections between Russia or the US, or any other country.
According to Puri, “oil will increase” and since the US has it, India will need it. Furthermore, it was also highlighted that the energy that comes from the US, gas, is also much cheaper.
India has already become the second-largest buyer of Russian crude oil, with its other crude import sources being Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The country continues to diversify its energy mix, focusing on affordability and security.
India’s Energy Transition Strategies and Global Role
As part of India G20 presidency, the country has actively pushed for global energy transition initiatives. The Energy Transitions Working Group and the Energy Ministers’ Meeting underscored the country’s commitment to clean energy while maintaining energy security and affordability. Some key takeaways from these discussions include:
- Green Hydrogen Trade: India is championing free and open trade of Green Hydrogen, zero, and low-carbon hydrogen to drive global adoption.
- Standardization Efforts: India envisions harmonizing Green Hydrogen standards worldwide to facilitate trade, scale economies, and promote innovation.
- Energy Efficiency Targets: India aims to double the global rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030, sharing its best practices on a global scale.
- Securing Critical Minerals: Energy security remains a top priority, with India collaborating internationally to ensure access to critical minerals needed for clean energy transition.
- Renewable Energy Expansion in Developing Countries: India is spearheading initiatives to advance energy access through renewable energy, particularly in Africa and developing nations.
- Technology and Finance for Clean Energy: India advocates for low-cost finance and technology transfer to support clean energy solutions, including new energy storage technologies.
- Grid Integration and Transnational Infrastructure: India supports the development of resilient energy infrastructure and transnational grids under its ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ initiative.
Leading Role in Global Biofuels Alliance
India has also taken a leadership role in biofuels with the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). As the G20 Chair, India established this multi-stakeholder platform to accelerate the development and deployment of biofuels, contributing to energy transition and economic growth.
With 25 countries and 12 international organizations already part of the alliance—including major economies such as the US, Canada, Brazil and Japan—GBA is expected to drive biofuels adoption through policy collaboration, technological advancements and sustainability standards.
The alliance also aligns with India’s major initiatives such as PM-JIVAN Yojana, SATAT and GOBARdhan, which support biofuel production, increase farmers’ incomes and generate employment.
While India is steadfast in its clean energy transition, the government acknowledges that a complete shift away from fossil fuels is neither practical nor immediate. Instead, a parallel approach remains the reality—where fossil fuels and renewables coexist while the country progressively moves toward greener alternatives.
With strategic international collaborations and advancements in renewable energy technologies, India is positioning itself as a global leader in the energy transition while ensuring energy security, affordability and economic sustainability.
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