Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 opened at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on March 19, 2026. The event was inaugurated by Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs; Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy; Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power; Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority; and Dr R.K. Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. Edited excerpts from their addresses…
Setting the tone for the event, power minister Manohar Lal highlighted the central role of energy in India’s economic development, positioning electricity as a foundational enabler rather than a standalone sector. He underlined that the evolution of energy from traditional sources such as fire and coal to hydro, nuclear and renewables reflects both technological progress and the growing need for sustainable and scalable solutions.
India’s ambition to become a developed economy hinges on the strength and reliability of its power sector. With the country already among the top global economies and aiming to move higher, adequate, affordable and accessible electricity will be critical to supporting industrial growth, exports and overall economic expansion.
The minister highlighted that the rapid expansion of transmission infrastructure, with significant growth in network capacity over the past decade, has improved grid stability and connectivity across regions. He also emphasised India’s growing role in cross-border electricity trade with neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Nepal, positioning it as a regional energy hub.
On the energy mix, he spoke about India’s dual approach of scaling up non-fossil fuel capacity while continuing to rely on conventional sources to meet rising demand. Renewable energy, particularly solar, will play a key role in the future energy landscape, supported by initiatives to enhance grid integration and transmission capabilities, including the development of advanced and potentially undersea transmission networks.
Looking ahead, he identified emerging demand drivers such as electric vehicles, data centres and artificial intelligence, which are expected to significantly increase electricity consumption. To address this, the government is planning significant capacity additions over the next decade, alongside continued investments in transmission infrastructure.
He also underscored the importance of innovation and research, encouraging start-ups and young entrepreneurs to explore new frontiers in energy technologies, including unconventional concepts such as alternative energy conversion and wireless power transmission.
In his address, Pralhad Joshi spoke about the evolving dynamics of India’s energy transition and emphasised the importance of balancing renewable energy expansion with energy security and affordability. India has made significant progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity, and he credited this progress to strong coordination across different segments of the power sector, including generation, transmission and policy support.
Joshi stressed that while renewable energy is the future, India’s transition must remain pragmatic and balanced. Fossil fuel-based generation, particularly coal, cannot be phased out overnight, given the country’s growing energy demand and the need for reliable baseload power. At the same time, the long-term direction of the sector is clearly towards renewable energy, which is the only sustainable pathway for meeting future energy needs.
Global geopolitical tensions and disruptions in fuel markets have reinforced the importance of building a self-reliant and diversified energy system. Conflicts and instability in various parts of the world often impact the availability and pricing of fossil fuels, making it essential for countries to accelerate the deployment of domestic renewable energy resources.
The minister drew attention to the decline in renewable energy costs over the past decade, making renewable energy increasingly competitive with conventional sources. According to him, these cost reductions are strengthening the case for large-scale renewable deployment in India.
Shripad Yesso Naik discussed the rapid transformation of India’s power sector and the country’s growing leadership in the global energy transition. He observed that the summit’s theme reflected India’s broader journey of aligning economic growth with sustainability, while bringing together policy, technology, finance and innovation to accelerate the clean energy transition.
India’s power sector has undergone a major transformation over the past decade. The country’s installed power capacity has more than doubled since 2014, with more than 50 per cent now coming from non-fossil fuel sources. This progress enabled India to achieve one of its Nationally Determined Contribution targets ahead of schedule, demonstrating the country’s commitment to climate action while sustaining economic growth.
The next phase of the transition will focus not only on adding capacity but also on strengthening the power system to support higher renewable penetration. The government is expanding transmission networks at an unprecedented pace while also scaling battery energy storage and pumped storage solutions. In addition, new market mechanisms such as virtual power purchase agreements are being introduced to unlock investments and stimulate demand for renewable energy.
Naik also drew attention to India’s growing domestic manufacturing ecosystem for clean energy technologies, strengthening India’s role in the global renewable energy value chain. He underscored the importance of citizen participation in the energy transition, noting that programmes such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan scheme are enabling households and farmers to become energy producers, thereby making the transition more inclusive and participatory. He concluded that energy efficiency remains a central pillar of India’s strategy, with every unit of energy saved effectively contributing to the country’s sustainable growth pathway.
Pankaj Agarwal underscored the transformation of the electricity sector into a critical driver of economic growth, digitalisation and social development, noting that power is no longer a basic utility but a foundational enabler of competitiveness and inclusivity.
He noted that India is navigating a complex energy transition, balancing the traditional trilemma of energy security, affordability and sustainability, while also addressing the imperative of universal access. Delivering reliable and clean electricity at scale remains a defining challenge, particularly given the country’s rapid economic growth and rising demand.
Agarwal highlighted significant progress over the past decade, including the near elimination of peak power deficits, substantial capacity additions and accelerated growth in renewable energy. Solar power has played a pivotal role, supported by enabling policy frameworks, standardisation and cost competitiveness. India is increasingly emerging as both a major clean energy market and a manufacturing hub.
He also outlined the evolution of the grid into one of the largest synchronised systems globally, supported by advanced balancing mechanisms. On the distribution side, the deployment of smart technologies is enabling a more responsive and data-driven ecosystem. The next phase of sectoral growth will be driven not only by physical infrastructure but also by market and institutional reforms. Instruments such as time-of-day tariffs, demand response and energy storage will be critical to enhancing grid flexibility.
He further highlighted emerging demand drivers, including electric mobility, data centres and digital technologies, and the need to align consumption patterns with renewable generation to improve system efficiency. At the same time, he cautioned that the transition would require significant investments alongside improvements in the financial health of the power sector value chain.
At a broader level, Agarwal emphasised the importance of global collaboration, positioning India as both a learner and a provider of scalable solutions. He called for actionable outcomes from the summit, including progress on distribution reforms, financial sustainability and infrastructure development, as well as long-term partnerships. He reiterated the government’s commitment to building a resilient, sustainable and inclusive electricity system, while encouraging stakeholders to actively participate in this transformation.
Dr R.K. Tyagi emphasised the critical role of leadership in driving the growth of India’s power sector and the integration of renewable energy into the grid. India’s energy transition must remain both ambitious and balanced, ensuring sustainability while meeting rising demand. The collaboration of policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, investors and global partners is essential for shaping the sector’s future. He noted that such collaboration is critical to addressing the evolving needs of the power sector.
The electricity sector is expected to deliver scale, reliability and sustainability. Dr Tyagi highlighted that the key national reports on resource adequacy, transmission planning for large-scale non-fossil integration (which were released at the inaugural by Ghanshyam Prasad) and the broader energy scenario demonstrate how India is planning and investing ahead to meet future requirements.
“The energy transition must be pursued through coordinated planning, technological advancement and global cooperation, with the ultimate objective of ensuring reliable, affordable and sustainable power for all.” Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power
