The Global Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Summit 2025, held on March 12–13, 2025 in Kochi, Kerala, brought together policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders, researchers, and energy experts to discuss pathways for achieving energy security and sustainability. During the summit, Ranjan Mathai, Former Foreign Secretary of India, shared insights into the strategic importance of energy security and the challenges India faces as it pursues economic growth alongside a clean energy transition.

Addressing delegates, Mathai emphasized that energy remains fundamental to India’s aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He noted that access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy will be essential for supporting economic development, industrial expansion, healthcare, education, and infrastructure growth.

Energy Security at the Heart of Development

Speaking on the broader concept of energy security, Mathai highlighted the need for both long-term planning and short-term resilience. Long-term energy security depends on investments in infrastructure, energy supply diversification, and sustainable development, while short-term security focuses on the ability to respond to disruptions in supply and demand.

He noted that energy security is no longer just an economic issue but a strategic imperative closely linked to national security, geopolitical stability, and economic competitiveness.

India Faces a Unique Energy Challenge

Mathai observed that India is pursuing multiple energy objectives simultaneously—expanding energy access, supporting economic growth, reducing emissions, and strengthening self-reliance. Balancing these priorities presents a unique challenge, particularly given the country’s large population and rapidly growing energy demand.

He stressed that ensuring universal access to modern energy services remains a key objective, particularly for communities that continue to depend on traditional fuels for cooking and heating.

Fossil Fuels Continue to Play a Major Role

While India has made significant progress in renewable energy deployment, Mathai noted that fossil fuels continue to account for a substantial share of the country’s energy consumption. Coal, oil, and natural gas remain critical components of the energy mix, supporting industrial activity and economic growth.

At the same time, he highlighted the importance of gradually reducing dependence on carbon-intensive energy sources while maintaining energy affordability and reliability. Strengthening domestic energy production and diversifying supply sources will be essential to improving resilience against global market disruptions.

Self-Reliance and Strategic Resilience

Mathai underscored the importance of energy self-reliance in an increasingly complex global environment. He pointed out that geopolitical developments, supply chain disruptions, and market volatility can significantly impact energy availability and costs.

According to him, reducing vulnerabilities through diversified energy sources, domestic capacity building, and strategic reserves will play a crucial role in enhancing India’s long-term energy security.

Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen Offer New Opportunities

The former Foreign Secretary highlighted the growing importance of renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen, in supporting India’s sustainability goals. Investments in clean energy infrastructure are helping to create new opportunities for economic growth while reducing environmental impacts.

He noted that green hydrogen has the potential to become an important component of India’s future energy ecosystem, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry and transportation. However, infrastructure development, safety frameworks, and technology maturity will be critical to enabling large-scale adoption.

A Balanced and Diversified Energy Strategy

Mathai advocated for a diversified approach to energy planning, emphasizing that no single technology or energy source can address all future requirements. A balanced mix of conventional energy, renewable energy, nuclear power, natural gas, hydrogen, and emerging technologies will be necessary to ensure reliability, affordability, and sustainability.

He stressed that India’s energy transition must be guided by pragmatic policies that support both economic development and environmental responsibility.

Building Consensus for a Sustainable Future

The summit served as a platform for discussions on energy security, clean energy technologies, climate action, and sustainable development. Participants highlighted the need for collaboration among governments, industry, academia, and international partners to address complex energy challenges.

Mathai concluded that India’s path to a secure and sustainable energy future will require long-term vision, strategic investments, technological innovation, and coordinated action across sectors.

The discussions reinforced the importance of balancing energy security with environmental objectives as India advances towards its development goals and strengthens its position in the global energy landscape.

Also Read | Renewable Energy, Green Hydrogen and Innovation Key to India’s Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047

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