India’s oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the country will be a key driver of global energy demand in the coming decades. Bloomberg
India’s oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the country will be a key driver of global energy demand in the coming decades. Bloomberg
India’s oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the country will be a key driver of global energy demand in the coming decades. Bloomberg
India’s oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the country will be a key driver of global energy demand in the coming decades. Bloomberg

India’s energy demand on the path to recovery, oil minister says


Fareed Rahman
  • English
  • Arabic

India’s energy demand is poised to bounce back as Asia’s third-largest economy reopens for business, oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.

The country’s consumption of petrol, gas oil and cooking gas in October “exceeded the figures of last year”, said Mr Pradhan during the online Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference on Monday.

“India’s energy sector has shown remarkable resilience and our energy demand has almost recovered back to the pre-Covid levels, particularly for petroleum products, due to [the] rejuvenation of economic activities.”

He said the country expects the recovery in demand for energy to be sustained in the coming months.

India had one of the strictest coronavirus lockdowns and is reopening its economy gradually despite an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

The country has allowed most businesses to resume operations as it looks to spur economic activity.

Mr Pradhan also said India will be a key driver of global energy demand in the coming decades “as its share in global consumption is set to rise from 6 per cent in 2018 to 12 per cent in 2050”.

“It will experience the fastest growth in energy consumption among all large economies,” he said.

India is the currently third biggest consumer of oil in the world, after the US and China.

Mr Pradhan said the government had also taken a series of policy decisions to make India's energy sector an attractive investment destination.

“There are tremendous opportunities in the energy sector in India. India now allows 100 per cent foreign direct investment in exploration and production," he said.

"We have created a friendly tax regime for sovereign wealth and pension funds. These reforms are translating into increased FDI growth in the sector.”

India is pivoting towards cleaner energy sources and intends to generate 450 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 and use emerging fuels such as hydrogen.

“Our energy sector will be growth-centric, industry-friendly and environment-conscious,” he said.

It is also inviting global companies to invest in its strategic petroleum reserves.

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Landfill in numbers

• Landfill gas is composed of 50 per cent methane

• Methane is 28 times more harmful than Co2 in terms of global warming

• 11 million total tonnes of waste are being generated annually in Abu Dhabi

• 18,000 tonnes per year of hazardous and medical waste is produced in Abu Dhabi emirate per year

• 20,000 litres of cooking oil produced in Abu Dhabi’s cafeterias and restaurants every day is thrown away

• 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste is from construction and demolition

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions