Shweta Tyagi*
India, the world’s fastest-growing large economy, with an ambitious goal of achieving developed nation status by 2047, is addressing the dual challenges of rising global temperatures and climate risks by investing significantly in new energy sectors to foster sustainable development. India Energy Week (IEW) 2025, held from February 11 to 14 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi, marked a pivotal milestone on this journey toward energy sustainability and security. Organized by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the event is Asia’s largest energy showcase and the second-largest globally. It provided a dynamic platform for advancing both India’s and the world’s ambitious low-carbon goals, drawing together global energy leaders, policymakers, industry innovators, and experts. Over 70,000 visitors from more than 100 countries attended, and more than 600 exhibitors presented cutting-edge technologies across the energy sector.
The event highlighted India’s growing influence in the global energy landscape, with a focus on sustainable energy, energy security, and technological innovation. Several key agreements were signed during the event, reinforcing India’s energy strategy and advancing its clean energy ambitions. The event brought together diverse stakeholders from both the public and private sectors at one single roof fostering international partnerships, and achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets.
India Energy Week 2025 focused on key theme that underscored the evolving dynamics of the global energy sector. These included:
- Energy Security: Emphasizing the importance of ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply amidst global uncertainties.
- Just Energy Transition– Advocating for fair energy policies that are inclusive, especially for developing nations.
- Collaboration – Aiming to foster partnerships to address shared energy challenges.
- Resilience: Strengthening energy systems to withstand disruptions and adapt to change.
- Capacity Building: Enhancing skills to support the energy transition.
- Innovation: Encouraging technological advancements for sustainable energy solutions.
- Digital Advancements: Leveraging digital tools to enhance energy efficiency and accessibility.
The event also featured nine thematic zones that covered various sectors within the energy industry. These included the Hydrogen Zone, Biofuels Zone, and Renewable Energy Zone, each showcasing advancements in their respective fields. The LNG Ecosystem Zone and the Make In India Zone highlighted India’s efforts to strengthen its energy infrastructure, while the India Net-Zero Zone underscored the country’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality. The City Gas Distribution Zone focused on natural gas distribution solutions, the Petrochem Zone showcased developments in the petrochemical industry, and the Digitalization & AI Zone explores how digitalization and artificial intelligence can revolutionize energy management.
Key Events and Activities
The event commenced with the inaugural address of Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing global leaders via video message, introducing India’s five key pillars of energy ambition-harnessing resources, encouraging innovation among brilliant minds, economic strength and political stability, strategic geography making energy trade attractive and easier, and commitment to global sustainability and outlined ambitious clean energy goals for “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India). These include achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity; Reaching net-zero carbon emissions for Indian Railways; Producing 5 million metric tons (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030. He emphasized that India is not only driving its own growth but also contributing significantly to global energy development. He noted that India’s solar energy capacity has increased thirty-two times over the past decade, positioning the country as the third-largest solar power producer globally.
The event officially inaugurated by Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sh. Hardeep Singh Puri, highlighted India’s balanced approach to energy transition. He stated that while biofuels, renewables, and hydrogen are prioritized, hydrocarbons will continue to play a crucial role in power generation and industrial applications. Mr. Puri also discussed the importance of ensuring that the energy transition is equitable, particularly for vulnerable populations. He also chaired a Ministerial Roundtable on Clean Cooking at India Energy Week 2025. The roundtable highlighted India’s leadership in providing clean cooking solutions to countries in the Global South. During the session, he emphasized the success of the PM Ujjwala Scheme, which has provided 10.33 crore free LPG connections since 2016, ensuring clean cooking fuel is available to all households and significantly improving rural health and environmental sustainability.
On the sidelines of the event, the Union Minister also launched a new bidding round for oil and gas under the Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP). This bidding round covered over 1.91 lakh square kilometers for oil and gas exploration and production, making it the largest in terms of acreage under India’s Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy.
Global Participation and Stakeholders
This year the event featured with unparalleled global participation, including 20+ Foreign Energy Ministers and Deputy Ministers representing advanced economies, largest energy producers, and key nations of global south including participation from key Indian energy ministries, such as the Ministry of Power, MNRE, NITI Aayog, and the Ministry of Mines and Minerals, highlighting a unified approach to energy solutions across the sector. The event also featured Heads of leading International Organizations and 90 CEOs from some of the world’s largest Fortune 500 energy companies including bp, Total Energies, Qatar Energy, ADNOC, Baker Hughes and Vitol etc.
Collaborative Projects and Partnership
This year, India Energy Week 2025 witnessed a series of significant agreements and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening India’s energy infrastructure and promoting sustainability. Notably, key collaborations were formed across various sectors, including renewable energy, electric mobility, and clean technologies. These partnerships, both domestic and international, focused on scaling up renewable energy capacity, advancing grid modernization, and driving innovation in energy storage and hydrogen solutions.
- LNG agreements and Partnerships
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed a significant agreement worth USD 7 billion, enabling India to source 1.2 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for 14 years starting in 2026.
- Similarly, BPCL entered into a five-year LNG off-take agreement with ADNOC for 2.4 million metric tons, with the possibility of extending the agreement for another five years.
- India signed its first ever LNG-export agreement with Nepal, delivering 240 Metric Tonnes of LNG annually for 5 years via cryogenic trucks from Odisha’s Dhamra Terminal.
2. Hydrocarbon & Renewable Energy Initiatives and Partnerships
- Oil India Limited signed a MoU for hydrocarbon exploration in India’s deep and ultra-deep offshore basins, aligning with the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP).
- BPCL &ECO Wave Power and Israel partnered to establish India’s first wave energy pilot project in Mumbai using Wave Energy Converter technology (WEC).
- Moreover, BPCL and National Sugar Institute, signed a MoU in order to scale up sweet sorghum based bioethanol and support farmers and industry partners.
3. Oilfield and Refining Partnerships
ONGC Videsh (a wholly owned subsidiary of ONGC) and Petrobras (Brazil), signed a non- binding MoU to explore upstream Oil and Gas projects, trading, decarbonization and digitization in Brazil, India and third countries.
Avinya’25 and Vasudha Startup Recognition
The event also celebrated innovation and entrepreneurship in the energy sector through two prominent startup challenges: Avinya’25 – Energy Startup Challenge organized by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, honored innovative startups for their advancements in CO₂ capture, ESG solutions, and renewable energy and the Vasudha – Oil and Gas Startup Challenge recognized international startups that are transforming the upstream oil and gas sector with AI-powered solutions. Both the challenges underscored India’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the energy sector, providing a platform for startups to showcase their solutions and gain recognition on a national and international stage.
Impact and Outcomes of India Energy Week 2025
India Energy Week (IEW) 2025 concluded with notable success, reinforcing India’s position as a global energy leader. Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, emphasized the focus on actual business transactions and highlighted the progress in India-US energy cooperation, particularly in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. The event also celebrated achievements in India’s biofuel program, with a current ethanol blending capacity of 1,700 crore liters and a target of over 20% blending by October 2025. Additionally, innovative startups were recognized through the Avinya’25 Energy Startup Challenge, while discussions on technology and solutions for carbon capture and renewable energy were promoted through hackathons and technical conferences. Moreover, one of the key highlights was the emphasis on expanding renewable energy infrastructure, particularly solar and wind energy, reinforcing India’s commitment to scaling up its renewable capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, the PM Ujjwala Scheme, showcased during the event, demonstrated India’s success in providing clean cooking fuel to millions of households, thus improving health, environmental sustainability, and ensuring energy equity. Technological innovations were also a key outcome of the event, with advancements in energy storage, electric mobility, and smart grid technologies taking center stage. These innovations reflect India’s growing focus on adopting cutting-edge solutions to address its energy challenges. Overall, the event played a crucial role in solidifying India’s position as a leader in the global energy transition, driving sustainable development while addressing the country’s energy needs.
*Associate Editor – Focus Global Reporter
