GM India inaugurates LNG facility at Halol for supply of LNG to its plant; BPCL and INOX to take care of supply, re-gasification and final delivery

Halol: General Motors India (GMI) today inaugurated an LNG facility at its factory premises at Halol for supply of gas to its car manufacturing plant. This follows a tripartite agreement signed between GMI, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and INOX India Limited (INOX) for the supply, re-gasification and final delivery of LNG at the company’s plant in Halol, Gujarat. Under the agreement BPCL will supply the LNG and INOX will render the cargo handling services including loading and transportation of LNG from Dahej Terminal of Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) to GM India’s site. INOX will also carry out unloading of gas into storage tanks, regasification and final delivery of LNG to the plant.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, General Motors India said, “GM has made a commitment to sustainable transportation around the globe and our commitment to a green future extends to our plants that builds those vehicles as well. The inauguration of the facility represents a technological milestone of the joint efforts put in by BPCL, INOX and General Motors India and bears testimony to our commitment to a cleaner and greener environment. Given LPG’s high cost and availability issues, our aim was to find an alternative solution that provides better flexibility as well as cost savings and we are glad to have found established partners like BPCL and INOX to help us attain this technological milestone, said Mr. Slym.

Halol plant has been using LPG in its paint shop and other applications since its inception in 1996. But after the commissioning of this facility in July, the company has been using LNG for paint baking, air conditioning and process fluid heating. It is also being used for cooking in the plant’s canteen. Besides being cheaper than LPG, LNG is safer and cleaner as it generates lower carbon emissions. Besides being cost effective, LNG also provides energy security.

The LNG facility has adopted advanced safety procedures. These include global tools like Hazop or Hazard operability processes for handling and usage. The LNG installation is equipped with advanced remote operation facility, an on-site control room and fire-fighting equipment. It complies with all applicable safety and security standards.

General Motors India has models like the CNG version of Chevrolet Aveo and LPG version of Chevrolet Spark that immensely benefit customers by helping them save money in terms of operating cost, in addition to being environment-friendly. It may be recalled that General Motors and the US Department of Energy (DOE) have also formalized a five-year partnership with India’s Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) to develop jatropha as a sustainable biofuel energy crop, reiterating the company’s commitment to green technology and alternative fuels.

Source:gm