Fourth edition of global energy forum draws over 75,000 delegates from 120 countries as India charts balanced energy transition.
27 Jan 2026 | 241 Views | By Shristi Ohri
The India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 opened in Goa today with the Hon'ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas delivering the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony, highlighting India's growing role in shaping global energy conversations while hosting over 75,000 energy professionals from more than 120 countries.
The fourth ...
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The India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 opened in Goa today with the Hon'ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas delivering the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony, highlighting India's growing role in shaping global energy conversations while hosting over 75,000 energy professionals from more than 120 countries.
The fourth edition of the annual event represents a significant expansion, with 700 exhibiting companies, 10 country pavilions, and 11 thematic zones. The gathering includes more than 550 global speakers participating in over 110 strategic and technical sessions. High-profile attendees include H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC MD and Group CEO from the UAE, and Hon. Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources from Canada.
This year's theme, "Energizing Growth, Securing Economies and Enriching Lives," reflects the multifaceted role of energy in economic development and human well-being. The conference includes several side events, including the India-Arab Energy Dialogue, a Conference on Compressed Biogas, and startup challenges Avinya 3.0 with 161 applications and Vasudha 3.0 with 20 global applications from four new countries.
The Minister emphasized that while renewable energy sources are expanding rapidly, conventional energy will remain essential to meet growing global demand. He noted that if investment in existing oil and gas production were to stop today, global oil output would decline by approximately 8 percent annually over the next decade, equivalent to losing more than the combined annual production of Brazil and Norway each year.
India's position as the world's third-largest energy consumer places it at the heart of the global energy transformation. The Minister stated that by 2050, India's share of global energy demand is projected to rise by nearly 30-35 percent, reaching around 10 percent of total global energy demand, though per capita energy consumption remains at only about 40 percent of the global average.
The Indian government has implemented significant policy reforms to strengthen the energy sector. The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025, along with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025, introduce single petroleum leases, ensure time-bound approvals, and provide long-term lease stability. Last year, India launched the tenth OALP-X bidding round, Special Coal Bed Methane Bid Round 2025, and the Discovered Small Fields (DSF)-IV bid round.
In deep and ultra deep-water exploration acreage awarded during OALP IX, 2D seismic line acquisition is already complete and 3D seismic line acquisition is more than 30 percent complete, with preliminary assessments appearing promising.
Despite global volatility, India has maintained fuel price stability for its citizens. The Minister noted that fuel prices in Delhi in 2025 remained lower than in 2021, while over 100 million PMUY beneficiaries have LPG prices maintained at around 5.5 to 6 US dollars per cylinder, among the lowest globally.
India achieved nearly 20 percent ethanol blending in ESY 2025, resulting in foreign exchange savings of around USD 19.3 billion and direct payments exceeding USD 15 billion to farmers over the past decade. The country remains on track to meet its compressed biogas targets, reflecting rapid progress in bioenergy.
The government has raised its nuclear energy ambition to 100 GW of capacity by 2047, supported by the approval of the Atomic Energy Bill 2025 SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing of Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India), which modernizes India's nuclear legal framework.
The Minister highlighted shipbuilding as a growth avenue, noting that every job created in a shipyard generates an additional six to seven jobs across the supply chain. With oil and gas accounting for nearly 28 percent of India's trade basket by volume, the government's USD 8 billion package for the shipbuilding and maritime sector creates opportunities for capacity expansion. With immediate requirements for around 60 vessels in the oil and gas trade, India presents a near-term investment opportunity of around USD 5 billion.
India has become a leading hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), with over 1,700 GCCs established across the country. Their combined revenue has increased from USD 40.4 billion in FY19 to USD 64.6 billion in FY24, representing an annual growth rate of 9.8 percent. The sector is projected to reach USD 105 billion by 2030, with nearly 2,400 GCCs employing over 2.8 million professionals.
The Minister concluded by emphasizing India's commitment to working with partners worldwide to build an energy future that is secure, resilient, and inclusive, stating that the choices made today will shape resilience, prosperity, and sustainability for decades to come.
India Energy Week 2026 continues through the week, providing a platform for partnerships and insights aimed at strengthening energy systems across regions and economies.