GASONET, a budding City Gas Distribution (CGD) company aims to revolutionise the use of natural gas in India’s energy mix. As we celebrate World Environment Day, Gasonet’s presence in these ecologically sensitive regions takes centre stage. In this exclusive interview, Nitin Tyagi, Executive Director at GASONET, sheds light on the company’s unique approach to integrating services, its impact on the environment, and its future plans.
What steps is Gasonet taking to raise public awareness about the environmental benefits of natural gas and the importance of sustainable energy choices?
Both our lives and the future of every other species on the earth are still impacted by climate change. An environmentally conscious company thinks about its effects on society and the environment in addition to earnings. Gasonet recognises the urgency of climate change and is committed to promoting sustainable energy solutions.
Our key strategies include:
Expanding the CNG network: This makes cleaner-burning CNG readily available for personal and commercial vehicles, significantly reducing daily emissions.
Developing an Industrial / Domestic / Commercial PNG network: PNG offers convenient, cleaner, safer, and more efficient fuel for industries, improving their environmental performance and public image.
Promoting renewable natural gas (RNG): Gasonet supports biogas plants that convert waste into RNG, further reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
How does a CGD company impact the environment and lives of people particularly in sensitive areas like the Himalayas?
We at Gasonet understand the critical need to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Himalayas. Air pollution poses a major threat to this region, and we are committed to making a positive difference.
Gasonet, which operates in a sizable portion of Uttarakhand and Himachal, is dedicated to reducing environmental harm while simultaneously improving local life, creating jobs, and opening doors for small and medium-sized businesses. This is achieved through encouraging green transportation and green commuting via the network of Gasonet CNG stations. attracting businessmen to establish natural gas-powered industries is the second goal. Thirdly, replacing the LPG cylinder with convenient PNG connection. We work in Nine districts in the UK (Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Almora, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar covering 80 percent of the state), Four districts in Himachal (Mandi, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul n Spiti covering 53 percent of the state), and Two districts in Rajasthan (Bikaner and Churu districts, covering 14 percent of state land). Together, these areas make up 4 percent of the country’s land base. Gasonet Services (RJ) Ltd., Gasonet Services (HP) Ltd., and Gasonet Services (UK) Ltd. are the three companies that run the business.
Additionally, we encourage commercial ventures including the creation of CNG stations, Gaushala, dairy farms, milk processing facilities, biogas and compost manure factories, and CNG taxi fleets that support eco-friendly travel, including the famous Char Dham yatra.
Thoughts behind Gasonet entering bidding for Himalayan and Rajasthan GAs, which are normally termed as tough terrain to work.
Our Geographical areas (GAs) have established growth centres and are positioned strategically. Well-served by important national and state highways, a number of tourist and religious destinations, and other factors that fuel the demand for natural gas. All are supported by a vigorous and encouraging drive from the government to raise the proportion of natural gas from the present 6 percent to 15 percent by 2030 in the energy mix. Although the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh offers enormous growth potential, it is also the most important priority area for protecting our environment for a brighter and cleaner future. The district of Bikaner will also have a larger impact on regional growth as our nation’s future centre for the ceramics industry.
What is unique about Gasonet business model and how will that support in building wide PNG domestic and commercial connections?
We’ve seen that CGD firms haven’t been very active in implementing PNG home connections. This is mostly because the project is less economically sustainable due to the extremely expensive capex per household and relatively low ARPU, which results in a high ROI.
Our innovative plan combines installing optical fiber with gas pipelines to lease to ISPs and MNOs. This boosts our ARPU with minimal capital addition, creating an effective last-mile network.
What journey of Gasonet in 24 months since the authorisation of 4 Gas?
After 20 months of licence authorisation, we are proud to have 14 CNG stations operating throughout all GAs, including the highest CNG station in the country in Manali, the Salasar CNG station in Rajasthan, and the crucial Bhagirathi CNG station on the route to the Char Dham Yatra. While constructing natural gas infrastructure in authorized GAs, Gasonet aims to replace non-green fuel with environmentally friendly energy sources to the greatest extent possible.
We are constructing strong natural gas infrastructure this fiscal year, including LNG re-gas plants in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and Sunder Nagar, Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, we are establishing city gas stations in Churu, Rajasthan, and Munni ki Rati, Uttarakhand, and adding new CNG stations and PNG connections.