Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 opened at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on March 19, 2026. The high-profile event was inaugurated by Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal; Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi; Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik; Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power; Dr R.K. Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director, POWERGRID; and Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority. Edited excerpts from their addresses…
India’s ambition to become a developed economy is closely linked to the strength and reliability of its power sector. Adequate, affordable and accessible electricity remains essential for supporting industrial growth, exports and overall economic expansion. Over the past decade, the sector has undergone significant transformation, with installed capacity more than doubling and over half of the total capacity now coming from non-fossil fuel sources.
Energy transition
The energy transition continues to be shaped by the need to balance security, affordability and sustainability. While renewable energy represents the long-term direction, the transition remains pragmatic and calibrated. Fossil fuel-based generation, particularly coal, continues to play a vital role in meeting baseload demand and ensuring system reliability in the face of rising electricity consumption. However renewable energy, particularly solar, is expected to play a defining role in the future energy mix. Declining costs over the past decade have made renewables increasingly competitive, strengthening the case for large-scale deployment. This is being complemented by efforts to enhance grid integration through investments in transmission infrastructure and battery energy storage systems.
Grid expansion
The rapid expansion of transmission infrastructure has emerged as a key enabler of this transition. Significant growth in network capacity over the past decade has strengthened grid stability and enhanced interregional connectivity, enabling the integration of large-scale renewable energy. Transmission expansion is also supporting the country’s growing role in cross-border electricity trade with neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Nepal, reinforcing its position as a regional energy hub.
Demand drivers
Emerging demand drivers are expected to significantly reshape the consumption landscape. Electric vehicles, data centres and artificial intelligence are projected to drive a sharp increase in electricity demand, necessitating substantial capacity additions over the next decade. This growth will also require better alignment of consumption patterns with renewable generation, supported by instruments such as time-of-day tariffs and demand response to enhance grid flexibility and optimise resource utilisation. Parallelly, the importance of building a self-reliant and resilient energy ecosystem has gained prominence. Global geopolitical developments and disruptions in fuel markets have highlighted the risks associated with import dependence, reinforcing the need to accelerate domestic renewable energy deployment.
Outlook
The scale of the transition will require substantial investments over the next two decades. Mobilising this level of capital will depend on robust policy frameworks, financial innovation and sustained stakeholder confidence. In this regard, global collaboration assumes significant importance, positioning India as both a major clean energy market and a provider of scalable solutions. Innovation and research will continue to serve as key enablers in this journey. There is increasing emphasis on encouraging startups and new enterprises to explore emerging technologies, including unconventional areas such as alternative energy conversion and wireless power transmission.
Citizen participation is also emerging as a key pillar of the transition. Rooftop solar programmes and agricultural solarisation initiatives are enabling households and farmers to generate their own electricity, contributing to decentralised energy systems and making the transition more inclusive. Energy efficiency continues to play a critical role, with every unit of energy saved directly contributing to sustainability goals.
Overall, the sector is expected to deliver on multiple objectives, including scale, reliability and sustainability, while responding to evolving demand patterns and technological advancements. Forward-looking planning exercises on resource adequacy, transmission expansion and long-term energy scenarios reflect a proactive approach to meeting future requirements, ensuring that the power sector remains well-positioned to support India’s long-term economic and sustainability goals.
