The panel titled “Fossils to Net Zero: Transforming India’s Refinery and Energy Landscape” was held in Chennai on Thursday, bringing together S.G. Venkatesh of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL), Nandakumar Velayudhan Pillai of Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), Santosh K. Singh of Larsen & Toubro, and D. Senthil Kumar of Tamil Nadu Petroproducts Ltd. The discussion was moderated by The Hindu’s deputy national editor Srinivasan Ramani.
Venkatesh said CPCL has already lowered its energy use even as it recorded its highest crude‑throughput to date, thanks to measures such as cleaner fuels, operational optimisation and digitalisation. The company aims to achieve net‑zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2046, noting that further reductions in Scope 3 will depend on decarbonisation in downstream sectors, especially transport.
Singh warned that fossil fuels will remain part of India’s energy mix for at least the next two decades, urging a shift from a high‑carbon to a low‑carbon system rather than an abrupt replacement. He highlighted green hydrogen as a promising but costly option, stressing the need for cheaper renewable power, larger electrolyser capacity and a full supply‑chain ecosystem to make the fuel commercially viable.
Pillai pointed to the intermittent nature of renewable electricity as a key challenge for refineries, which require a steady feed flow. He called for advances in energy‑storage technologies and more efficient electrolysers to ensure continuous operation. He also noted that MRPL is exploring sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects that use used cooking oil, though securing sufficient feedstock and meeting certification standards remain hurdles. A domestically‑designed SAF plant is slated for commissioning next year.
The panelists also warned that geopolitical tensions and disruptions to major shipping lanes could jeopardise crude imports for an import‑dependent nation like India. They advocated diversifying crude sources and bolstering supply‑chain resilience to protect energy security during the transition.
Kumar, speaking on the upcoming Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, explained that the mechanism will move refinery energy‑efficiency from a voluntary practice to a compliance‑driven system with emissions‑intensity targets. Companies exceeding their targets could sell certificates to those falling short, creating a market incentive for further efficiency investments. He cautioned that trading could become “very challenging” as the scheme expands to more industries.