Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural session of the third edition of India Energy Week (IEW) 2025 via video message, emphasising India’s growing role in the global energy sector. The event, held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from February 11 to 14, serves as a crucial platform for discussions on the future of energy, fostering collaborations and driving policy advancements.
India’s Rising Energy Ambitions
Prime Minister Modi underscored the event’s significance, highlighting how India Energy Week has rapidly become the world’s second-largest energy conference. He stressed that India is not only shaping its energy future but also contributing significantly to the global energy landscape. He outlined five key pillars supporting India’s energy aspirations: harnessing resources, fostering innovation, ensuring economic and political stability, leveraging strategic geography for energy trade, and maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability.
Highlighting India’s economic growth, he noted that the nation has climbed from being the tenth-largest to the fifth-largest economy in the past decade. He also pointed out the country’s remarkable strides in renewable energy, with solar power generation capacity increasing thirty-two times in the last ten years, making India the third-largest solar energy producer globally.
Commitment to Sustainability and Biofuels
Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to clean energy, stating that the country has tripled its non-fossil fuel energy capacity and was the first G20 nation to achieve the goals set by the Paris Agreement. He noted the impressive progress in ethanol blending, which currently stands at 19%, leading to foreign exchange savings, higher farmer incomes, and a reduction in carbon emissions. India aims to reach a 20% ethanol mandate by October 2025.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance during India’s G20 presidency, which now includes 28 nations and 12 international organisations. This initiative is driving biofuel adoption and transforming waste into valuable energy resources.
Hydrocarbon Exploration and Policy Reforms
The Prime Minister addressed ongoing reforms in the hydrocarbon sector, emphasising the need for increased exploration and production. He noted that India’s sedimentary basins hold vast untapped hydrocarbon reserves and that the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) has made upstream investments more attractive. Policy changes, such as modifications to the Oilfields Regulation & Development Act and the introduction of single-window clearances, are expected to facilitate greater participation in oil and gas exploration.
Modi also pointed out India’s position as the fourth-largest refining hub and stated that the government aims to increase refining capacity by 20%. The rapid expansion of gas pipeline infrastructure and major discoveries in the sector will significantly boost the share of natural gas in India’s energy mix.
Global Energy Collaboration and Investment Opportunities
Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, speaking at the event, highlighted the growing stature of India Energy Week, with over 70,000 professionals from 50+ countries, including 20 Ministers and 100 CEOs from Fortune 500 energy firms, participating. He underscored the conference’s role in navigating global energy transitions amid shifting geopolitical landscapes.
Puri also emphasised India’s leadership in energy innovation, with major global energy companies operating capability centres in the country. He noted the participation of over 500 entrepreneurs and 700 exhibitors, showcasing advancements in AI-driven energy solutions, quantum computing, and sustainable technologies.
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Concluding his address, he called for a pragmatic approach to energy transition, balancing the use of hydrocarbons with renewable energy, hydrogen, and biofuels. He stressed the need for resilient supply chains and strategic investments to ensure a smooth transition while safeguarding energy security.