At the conclusion of India Energy Week 2025, India has reinforced its position as a global energy leader, with groundbreaking announcements, strategic partnerships, and a clear vision for a greener energy future. The world’s second-largest energy conclave witnessed record participation, unveiling the largest-ever exploration bid round and highlighting India’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, emphasized the success of India Energy Week 2025, noting the remarkable engagement across multiple energy sectors, including petroleum, natural gas, green energy, biofuel, and compressed biogas (CBG). With an unprecedented number of participants, exhibitors, and technical paper submissions, the event has surpassed expectations. Puri stated that within just three years, the event has become the world’s second-largest energy platform, with the fourth edition set to take place in Goa.
The Minister highlighted that unlike other global energy forums, India Energy Week 2025 facilitated concrete business transactions beyond networking opportunities. He cited practical innovations such as a cost-effective biofuel conversion kit showcased at the HPCL stall, which enables two- and three-wheelers to use biofuel. The event also saw a convergence of investors, manufacturers, and consumers, as demonstrated by the display of flex-fuel vehicles.
Addressing India’s energy ties with the United States, Puri pointed to significant advancements in bilateral relations, particularly in the natural gas sector. India aims to increase its natural gas consumption from the current 6% to 15% of its energy mix, with strategic LNG supplies from the United States playing a crucial role.
In terms of reforms, the Minister outlined key developments in the Exploration and Production (E&P) sector. He detailed the scale of Open Acreage Licensing Program (OALP) Round X, which covers approximately 2,00,000 square kilometres, driven by regulatory improvements such as the transition from production-sharing to revenue-sharing mechanisms. Puri announced that the amendments to the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, are set to be presented in the Lok Sabha following extensive consultations. He cited industry collaborations, including ONGC’s partnerships with BP and Reliance, as a strong indicator of confidence in India’s energy sector.
Further emphasizing policy transparency, the Minister discussed the removal of discretionary elements in policy implementation, particularly in relation to windfall tax regulations. He underscored the importance of predictable governance to ensure long-term investment security.
Discussing global energy dynamics, Puri observed that the recent push by the United States for increased oil supply has created favourable market conditions. The emergence of new oil sources from Brazil, Argentina, Suriname, Canada, the US, and Guyana benefits major consuming nations like India. The Minister expressed strong confidence in India’s international investments in oil and gas assets across Brazil, Venezuela, Russia, and Mozambique.
Puri also described India’s biofuel program as a success story, with the country now boasting a production capacity of 1,700 crore litres for ethanol blending. Looking beyond the 20% blending target, he expressed enthusiasm for green hydrogen initiatives, confirming progress towards the 5 MMT annual production target by 2030, alongside sustainable aviation fuel development.
Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, provided insights into the business conducted during India Energy Week 2025. He categorized agreements into supply arrangements for crude, LNG, and LPG; technology partnerships for digital refinery solutions; and exploration services. He emphasized the scale of OALP Round X, underscoring the need for global expertise to tap into India’s hydrocarbon reserves. Additionally, Jain highlighted the potential use of the Oil Industry Development Fund to finance deep-water exploration projects.
A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of winners of the Avinya’25 – Energy Startup Challenge, an initiative by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas recognizing pioneering solutions in the energy sector. UrjanovaC Pvt Ltd emerged as the winner for its synthetic catalyst technology that enables scalable and cost-competitive CO₂ capture and conversion. Breathe ESG Private Limited secured the first runner-up position with its SaaS platform that automates ESG reporting, decarbonization strategies, and compliance. AgriVijay, the second runner-up, introduced India’s first curated marketplace for renewable energy solutions for farmers and rural households, while Apeiro Energy secured third place for its hybrid microgrids integrating small wind turbines with solar panels. UGreen Technology, the fourth runner-up, developed a molecular-engineering approach to enhance CO₂ reactivity for efficient carbon capture.
In addition, the Ministry introduced the Vasudha – Oil and Gas Startup Challenge, an exclusive competition for overseas startups revolutionizing the upstream oil and gas sector. Out of 17 entries from 13 countries, Latin Energy Partners Inc. from Paraguay won the challenge, while Ultrasound Process Consultation LLC from the United States was named runner-up. Their innovations in oil and gas exploration, AI-driven production management, ESG compliance, CCUS technologies, and geothermal exploration were highly commended.
Promoting research and innovation, a Hackathon was organized among premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), including IIT Delhi, Mumbai, Madras, Guwahati, Roorkee, Kharagpur, and ISM Dhanbad. The competition encouraged forward-thinking solutions in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and renewable energy. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad secured the winner’s title, while IIT Guwahati emerged as the runner-up.
India Energy Week 2025 concluded on a high note, showcasing India’s progress towards an integrated, sustainable, and innovative energy future while fostering global collaborations and technological advancements. With bold initiatives and landmark policy decisions, India continues to assert itself as a pivotal force in the global energy landscape.
