India hosted the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram, Haryana, on June 25-26, 2026, under its BRICS Chairship. The meeting was held under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability (BRICS)”, while the energy track adopted the theme “Sarvesham Urjam” (Energy for All), reflecting the shared objective of ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. The meeting brought together energy ministers and senior officials from the expanded BRICS grouping comprising Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE. With BRICS accounting for nearly half of the world’s population and around 40 per cent of global GDP, the bloc has emerged as an important platform for shaping international energy cooperation.
Key discussions
India organised the BRICS Energy Agenda around three broad pillars: energy security and sustainability; energy access and equity; and technology and innovation. A central focus was balancing energy security with climate commitments while ensuring affordable energy for developing economies. Discussions highlighted the need for resilient energy infrastructure, diversification of energy sources, improved energy efficiency and accelerated deployment of renewable energy. Emerging technologies featured prominently across the agenda, including artificial intelligence for energy management, power system digitalisation, smart grids, battery energy storage systems and hydrogen technologies. Ahead of the ministerial meeting, India convened four meetings of the BRICS Committee of Senior Energy Officials, along with thematic seminars on artificial intelligence in the energy sector, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies, energy efficiency standards and clean coal technologies.
Key outcomes
The meeting introduced several initiatives aimed at deepening energy cooperation across the expanded BRICS grouping. Among the key outcomes was the adoption of the BRICS Guiding Principles on Smart Grids and Energy Storage. Progress on the BRICS Joint Report on Hydrogen Value Chains 2026 was also welcomed, with the report expected to strengthen cooperation on hydrogen technologies, standards, industrial applications and future value chains. To further institutionalise collaboration, member countries endorsed updated Terms of Reference for the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform and launched the BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage under the platform. The centre is expected to facilitate collaborative research, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of policy and regulatory best practices in smart grids, energy storage and digital energy technologies.
The joint communiqué reaffirmed the shared commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 by ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. It recognised that energy transition pathways should remain nationally determined, taking into account the diverse resource endowments and development priorities of member countries. The communiqué also underscored the importance of resilient energy markets, diversified energy sources and continued investment in energy infrastructure to meet rising demand while supporting a balanced energy transition.
The outcomes reflected a pragmatic approach to decarbonisation by acknowledging the complementary role of cleaner fossil fuel technologies, including CCUS, alongside renewable energy and other low-carbon technologies. Recognising the financing challenges faced by developing economies, member countries emphasised the need for affordable financing mechanisms to accelerate sustainable energy infrastructure. They also highlighted the role of the New Development Bank in supporting energy transition investments and encouraged greater use of local currencies in energy trade and investment. In addition, support was extended to the BRICS Youth Energy Summit, held during India’s chairship, to promote greater participation of youth and women in the energy sector.
The way forward
The outcomes of the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting reinforce the bloc’s growing role in shaping global energy governance. While member countries differ significantly in their energy mixes and development priorities, they share common concerns regarding energy security, affordability, technological innovation and sustainable development.Going forward, enhanced collaboration through research partnerships, technology exchange, capacity building and coordinated policy initiatives is expected to strengthen the resilience of BRICS energy systems. As global energy demand continues to rise alongside decarbonisation efforts, cooperation among BRICS countries is likely to play an increasingly important role in ensuring secure, affordable and sustainable energy for developing economies while supporting a balanced global energy transition. The next BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to be held in 2027 under the Chairship of the People’s Republic of China.
Aastha Sharma
