‘Bharat Electricity Summit 2026’, a four-day global Conference-cum-Exhibition for the power sector, was inaugurated by Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar today at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
Shri Pralhad Joshi, Minister of New and Renewable Energy and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India; Shri Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India; Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India; Shri Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) were also present during inauguration.
While hailing achievements such as achieving its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of 50% cumulative non-fossil electric capacity nearly five years ahead of schedule, the SHANTI Act 2025, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, transition from power deficit to a power surplus nation, exponential growth in solar energy capacity from 2.8 GW solar capacity to over 143 GW today, Shri Manohar Lal underscored the unprecedented investment opportunities of approx.
INR 200 lakh crore over the next two decades in India’s power sector. In his keynote address, the Minister also highlighted India’s remarkable progress with a 72% expansion in transmission infrastructure to over 5 lakh circuit kilometers, meeting 250 GW peak demand in 2024-25 and being fully prepared to meet peak demand of 270 GW and beyond, while positioning itself as a future global exporter of affordable energy as the backbone of India’s vision to become a developed nation by 2047, he also outlined initiatives such as cross-border energy connectivity, undersea transmission networks.
He further added, “Today is not just another day, it is a day of resolve for India’s energy transformation. From relying on conventional resources to now returning to the power of the sun, we are completing a full circle. Energy is at the heart of development, and as India moves towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, our focus is on innovation, affordability, and global collaboration.
This ‘Conference of Light’ is not just an event, but a movement to take India’s energy leadership to the world.” Shri Pralhad Joshi emphasized that while thermal power will continue to serve as the backbone of the energy system, renewable energy represents the only sustainable long-term pathway, underscoring the need for a balanced transition driven by scale, speed, and skill.
Complementing this vision, Shri. Shripad Naik highlighted that India’s installed power capacity has more than doubled since 2014, with renewable energy witnessing exponential growth, from 2.8 GW solar capacity to over 143 GW today. He emphasized that over 32 lakh households and 23 lakh farmers are already contributing to clean energy generation, reflecting a shift towards a participative energy economy.
Adding to this, Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, stated that India now operates one of the world’s largest synchronised grids, supported by advanced balancing systems, large-scale smart meter deployment and strong policy frameworks.
He further added, “India’s power sector transformation over the past decade offers a strong global model, driven by policy clarity, scale, and innovation. From near-zero peak deficits to one of the world’s largest synchronized grids, and from falling solar tariffs to smart infrastructure rollout, we are building a system that is efficient, reliable, and investment-ready.
The next phase will be defined by technology, data, and global partnerships.” During the inaugural session, the Ministry of Power released key strategic reports including the National Resource Adequacy Plan, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to meet India’s growing electricity demand through a balanced energy mix, and the Transmission Plan for Integration of over 900 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity by 2035-36.
The transmission blueprint envisages the development of 1,37,500 circuit kilometers of transmission lines and 8,27,600 MVA substation capacity, with an estimated investment of ₹7.93 lakh crore, ensuring seamless evacuation of renewable energy and strengthening grid resilience.
The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 is a Ministry of Power and industry-led initiative. The summit will host more than 100 high-level conference sessions featuring over 300 speakers, representatives from more than 80 countries, over 500 exhibitors including over 100 startups and more than 25,000 visitors, making it one of the largest electricity-focused platforms globally.