The inaugural edition of Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, a major global conference and exhibition for the power sector, was officially opened by Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The four-day event, held from March 19 to 22 under the patronage of the Ministry of Power, brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and global stakeholders to discuss the future of energy.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Pralhad Joshi, Minister of New and Renewable Energy and Consumer Affairs; Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy; Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power; and Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority.
Addressing the gathering, Manohar Lal highlighted India’s significant progress in the energy sector, including achieving 50 percent cumulative non-fossil fuel capacity well ahead of its Nationally Determined Contribution targets. He also pointed to major initiatives such as the SHANTI Act 2025 and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, along with India’s transition from a power-deficit to a power-surplus nation. Solar capacity growth, expanding from 2.8 GW to over 143 GW, was cited as a key milestone.
The minister emphasized that India’s power sector presents investment opportunities estimated at approximately INR 200 lakh crore over the next two decades. He noted the expansion of transmission infrastructure by over 70 percent to more than 500,000 circuit kilometers and highlighted the country’s readiness to meet rising peak demand, projected to exceed 270 GW in the coming years. He also outlined plans for cross-border energy connectivity and undersea transmission systems as part of India’s long-term strategy.
Pralhad Joshi underlined the importance of balancing thermal power with renewable energy, noting that while conventional sources remain essential, renewable energy will play a central role in sustainable growth. Shripad Naik highlighted the rapid expansion of India’s power capacity since 2014 and the increasing participation of households and farmers in clean energy generation.
Pankaj Agarwal stated that India now operates one of the world’s largest synchronized power grids, supported by advanced technologies, smart metering, and strong policy frameworks. He emphasized that the next phase of growth will be driven by innovation, digitalization, and global collaboration.
During the event, the Ministry of Power released key reports, including the National Resource Adequacy Plan and a transmission roadmap to integrate over 900 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2035-36, involving significant infrastructure expansion and investment. The summit features over 100 conference sessions, more than 300 speakers, participation from 80 countries, and over 25,000 visitors, positioning it as one of the largest global platforms dedicated to the power sector.
