NewsOnAir | Expansion of LPG industry in India from 61.9% to 105.4%: Union Minister Hardeep Puri at LPG Week 2022

Nov 16,2022

LPG plays an important role as clean and modern fuel used every day in homes, businesses, and communities around the world. To highlight the role of LPG, ‘LPG Week 2022’ is being taken place in New Delhi at India Expo Centre & Mart (IEML) under the theme ‘Humanising Energy’. The event started on the 14th and will continue till November 18th, 2022.

Union Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated World LPG Week 2022 on November 16th. “LPG can effectively address several Sustainable Development Goals of the UN such as good health & wellbeing (Ujjwala Scheme), gender equality (Women Empowerment in Villages through Socio-economic Transformation – Ujjwala), affordable & clean energy, industry, innovation & infrastructure, climate action,” the Union Minister stated in his address.

The CEOs of major LPG companies, government ministers, and representatives of major intergovernmental organisations will be participating in LPG Week and it offers access to a collection of LPG industry leaders, experts, and influencers all visible in one opportunity. It will provide an exclusive on-site and online show for LPG companies, creating opportunities for networking with current and new business contacts and the flexibility to participate from anywhere in the world at any time.

World LPG Week 2022 theme, “Humanizing Energy”
The Minister emphasised the importance of the World LPG Week 2022 theme, “Humanizing Energy,” saying that it is appropriate given that energy directly affects human wellbeing and that it is urgent to produce and use energy in a sustainable manner while ensuring accessibility and affordability for all.

LPG is accessible in even the most isolated locations, enhancing the lives of millions of people globally and fostering local development. LPG is the perfect energy source for these places, either as a primary source or in combination with renewable energy, as only a small number of rural or isolated areas can benefit from piped natural gas. Creating power on a large or local scale using LPG is also becoming more popular.

Speaking about the situation before the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was introduced, the Minister stated that for many years, rural Indian households had a significant problem accessing clean cooking fuel. Even though LPG was the primary source of cooking energy in urban India, many households still had to rely on biomass for their cooking needs, including firewood, dung, crop residue, coal, and charcoal.

Expansion of the LPG industry in India from 61.9% to 105.4%
The Minister noted the expansion of the LPG industry in India in recent years, particularly as a result of government initiatives, and stated that the country’s LPG coverage increased to 105.4% in November 2022 from 61.9% in April 2016. Compared to 13896 on April 1, 2014, there are now 25327 LPG distributors as of November 1, 2022.

In his concluding remarks, the Minister noted that World LPG Week 2022 will provide a perfect platform for communication and cooperation among the best in the industry to allow the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and views on the role of LPG in the energy transition to a low carbon future.

About LPG Week & World LPG Association
LPG Week is the World LPG Association’s (WLPGA) flagship event, which began in 2019 in Amsterdam during the 32nd World LPG Forum & 2019 European Congress. It encompasses the entire LPG value chain, with upstream summits, meetings, trade and shipping workshops, training, a start-up village, business and networking opportunities, government regulatory seminars, and more.

The WLPGA speaks for the whole LPG value chain as the voice of the world LPG market. The Association’s main goal is to promote the industry by raising LPG demand and encouraging adherence to ethical conduct and safety regulations. The WLPGA brings together private and public businesses engaged in some or all of the industry’s activities.

The three main objectives of the WLPGA during this time period are Advocacy (ADV), Business Improvement (BIM), and Innovation & Growth (IGO).

There will be a range of focused summits, interesting meetings, conferences and workshops, a global exhibition, and social events within the course of one week to increase networking and commercial prospects. Anyone from everywhere may connect with the LPG sector online through LPG Week’s hybrid option.