Kochi: The Global Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Summit 2025, held on March 12–13, 2025 in Kochi, Kerala, brought together policymakers, energy experts, industry leaders, investors, and technology providers to discuss the future of clean energy and sustainable development. During the summit, Biju Prabhakar, IAS, Chairman & Managing Director, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), outlined Kerala’s ambitious plans to strengthen renewable energy generation, energy storage infrastructure, and hydrogen-based technologies as part of the state’s long-term energy transition strategy.
Addressing delegates, Prabhakar highlighted Kerala’s commitment to building a sustainable and self-reliant energy ecosystem. He noted that the state has already made significant progress in renewable energy adoption and is working towards accelerating investments in clean energy infrastructure to meet future demand.
Renewable Energy Capacity Continues to Grow
Speaking on Kerala’s energy landscape, Prabhakar said renewable sources currently contribute a significant share of the state’s electricity mix, with hydropower continuing to play a central role. At the same time, solar energy capacity has witnessed rapid growth, contributing to increased clean power generation across the state.
He noted that the expansion of rooftop solar systems and utility-scale renewable projects has resulted in higher daytime renewable generation, creating opportunities for further optimisation of energy resources.
Energy Storage Emerging as a Strategic Priority
With renewable energy generation increasing, Prabhakar emphasized the growing importance of energy storage systems in ensuring grid stability and efficient utilisation of surplus power.
According to him, battery energy storage systems will play a crucial role in managing renewable energy variability and supporting the integration of larger volumes of solar and wind power into the grid. Kerala has already initiated efforts to strengthen its storage infrastructure as part of its broader clean energy roadmap.
The discussions also highlighted the role of storage technologies in enhancing energy reliability and supporting future renewable energy expansion.
Hydrogen Gaining Momentum in Kerala’s Energy Vision
Prabhakar described hydrogen as an important component of the future energy ecosystem, particularly for sectors that are difficult to electrify directly. As governments and industries explore pathways to decarbonisation, hydrogen is increasingly being viewed as a promising alternative fuel capable of supporting long-term sustainability goals.
He noted that Kerala is actively exploring opportunities related to hydrogen production, utilisation, and infrastructure development as part of its broader clean energy strategy.
Investments in Hydropower and Pumped Storage
The KSEB Chairman highlighted the state’s continued focus on hydropower development and the significant potential for pumped storage projects. Such projects can play an important role in balancing renewable energy generation by storing excess electricity and releasing it during periods of high demand.
Kerala is exploring opportunities to expand its pumped storage capacity, which could strengthen grid resilience and support the state’s growing renewable energy portfolio.
The development of additional hydroelectric projects is also expected to contribute to long-term energy security while supporting the transition towards cleaner energy sources.
Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships
A key theme of the summit was the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in accelerating clean energy deployment. Prabhakar noted that Kerala is increasingly adopting partnership-driven models to attract investment and foster innovation across the renewable energy value chain.
Recent investor engagement initiatives have generated significant interest in areas such as solar parks, battery storage, grid infrastructure, and emerging energy technologies.
Building a Sustainable Energy Future
The summit discussions underscored the importance of integrated planning, technology adoption, and infrastructure investments in achieving long-term sustainability goals. Policymakers and industry stakeholders agreed that renewable energy, storage systems, hydropower, and hydrogen technologies will collectively shape the future of the energy sector.
Prabhakar emphasized that Kerala’s energy transition strategy is focused on ensuring energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic growth while creating opportunities for innovation and investment.
The event reinforced Kerala’s position as one of India’s leading states in renewable energy adoption and highlighted its efforts to build a resilient, future-ready, and low-carbon energy ecosystem.
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