Cabinet Approves Major Investment Revision for HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Project
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, April 8 (NationPress) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light for a significant revision in the project cost for the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL). The cost has escalated from Rs 43,129 crore to Rs 79,459 crore, alongside an additional equity investment of Rs 8,962 crore by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).
With this revision, the total equity investment from HPCL will rise to Rs 19,600 crore, as reported by an official statement.
HRRL is a cutting-edge 9 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical complex, designed to have a 2.4 MMTPA capacity for petrochemical production.
This ambitious project is a joint venture between HPCL and the Rajasthan government, with equity shares of 74 percent and 26 percent, respectively.
The CCEA has indicated that the HRRL refinery is a complex facility, boasting over 26 percent of its output as petrochemical products.
The refinery will not only produce 1 MMTPA of petrol and 4 MMTPA of diesel but also generate 1 MMTPA of polypropylene, 0.5 MMTPA of LLPDE (linear low-density polyethylene), 0.5 MMTPA of HDPE (high-density polyethylene), and approximately 0.4 MMTPA of benzene, toluene, and butadiene.
These products are essential for our energy and industrial sectors, impacting areas like transportation, pharmaceuticals, paints, and packaging. The project aims to enhance energy independence and lessen the petrochemical sector's reliance on imports. The Scheduled Commercial Operation Date is set for July 1, 2026, according to the statement.
The government emphasizes that HRRL is vital to meet the increasing energy needs and petrochemical demands of the nation while fostering production of specialty products, ultimately reducing the country’s import dependency and conserving foreign exchange.
Additionally, this initiative will play a pivotal role in the industrial development of a backward region, utilize locally sourced Mangala crude, and bolster India's position as a refining hub.
Throughout the project's execution, HRRL is expected to create around 25,000 employment opportunities through various stakeholders involved in the construction of the refinery units.