Home › Business ›Energetica India’s REconnect Summit in Pune Sparks a Power-Packed Industry Response
Energetica India’s REconnect Summit in Pune Sparks a Power-Packed Industry Response
The REconnect Summit Pune drew an overwhelming response within the first two hours, surpassing expectations and prompting the organising team to close registrations early due to limited seating availability.
August 24, 2026. By Abha Rustagi
Energetica India convened the second edition of REconnect Pune under the theme “Powering Maharashtra’s Renewable Future: Advancing Solar, Storage & Sustainable Energy Ecosystems.”
The conference drew an overwhelming response within the first two hours, surpassing expectations and prompting the organising team to close registrations early due to limited seating availability. Attendance crossed the 500-plus mark, with participants accommodated to the maximum extent possible under the venue and registration system.
The event brought together policymakers, utilities, renewable energy developers, independent power producers, engineering, procurement and construction companies, manufacturers, technology providers, investors and other industry stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Maharashtra’s renewable energy transition.
During his welcome address, Hemant Arora, Director, Energetica India, said, “Maharashtra is not simply participating in India’s energy transition; it is helping define it. From rooftop solar and agricultural solarisation to utility-scale projects, battery energy storage, manufacturing and grid modernisation, the state is emerging as one of the country’s most dynamic clean energy markets.”
He further asserted that the energy transition must not be ambitious only on paper; it must be achievable on the ground. Emphasising the role of REconnect Summit in that direction, Arora added, “At Energetica India, we believe conferences should be more than presentations. They should spark conversations, challenge conventional thinking, create business opportunities and bring together the people who can actually make things happen. Sometimes, the most valuable outcome of a summit is not what happens on stage, but what happens outside the hall – through conversations, connections and collaborations that can translate into action.”
CA Abhijit Kelkar, Vice President, Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC), said, “As India aspires to become a $40 trillion economy and the third-largest economy in the world, the growth of industries and businesses will significantly increase the country’s energy requirements. This makes sustainable power critical, as the additional energy demand must be met without compromising the environment. With economic activity and business transactions expected to grow substantially, solar and other renewable energy sources will have to play a much larger role in meeting this demand.”
He further added, “There is a strong need for greater participation and innovation to meet India’s growing energy requirements. Conferences such as Reconnect are important platforms for networking, exchanging ideas and building partnerships among industry stakeholders. Such interactions can help identify new opportunities and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and sustainable solutions.”
Dr. Nilesh Rohankar, Additional Executive Engineer, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL), highlighted the utility’s ongoing restructuring, financial reforms and renewable energy initiatives, including its proposed IPO by December 2026.
“MSEDCL is working towards a proposed IPO by December 2026, with financial transparency, reduction of the cross-subsidy burden and improved operational efficiency as key objectives. As part of the financial restructuring, around INR 32,000 crore of debt is proposed to be taken over by the Maharashtra government and converted into government bonds. MSEDCL is also targeting a reduction in AT&C losses from around 13.5 percent currently to 10 percent or below by 2030. Maharashtra’s peak electricity demand has reached around 29 GW and is projected to rise to 45 GW by 2030,” he said.
Kanchan Bhosale, Dy. Executive Engineer, MSEDCL, highlighted the utility’s scale, noting that its peak demand exceeds 27 GW, the highest among India’s discoms, with around 3.5 crore consumers across Maharashtra excluding Mumbai.
MSEDCL has also improved collection and connection efficiency, with the latter rising from 95 percent to around 99 percent. The utility reported a profit of around INR 1,200 crore in the previous financial year.
On rooftop solar, Bhosale said that Maharashtra has received more than 14 lakh applications under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, while around 7.33 lakh installations with 2,687 MW capacity have been completed. “There is significant scope to accelerate installations, and MSEDCL is extending support to EPCs and industry stakeholders to address implementation challenges.”
She also highlighted the Maharashtra government’s SMART scheme, which targets 5 lakh rooftop installations, including 1.27 lakh for BPL consumers, with additional state subsidy over and above the central support.
Chetan G. Pathare, I/c Chief General Manager (Business Development – RESCO), Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT), said the organisation is focusing on solarisation of MSMEs through the RESCO model.
“We have received consent from more than 8,000 MSMEs in Maharashtra for solarisation and are now working on project implementation. We welcome solar developers, RESCO players, manufacturers and battery companies to collaborate with us,” he said.
Pathare also highlighted emerging opportunities in battery energy storage, particularly for larger commercial and industrial consumers, and said that MAHAPREIT is developing plans for behind-the-meter solutions.
The first panel discussion focused on Maharashtra’s distributed energy landscape, with discussions spanning rooftop solar, C&I decarbonisation and agricultural feeder solarisation.
The panel was moderated by Jaideep N. Malaviya, Managing Director, Malaviya Solar Energy Consultancy. Other panellists included Rahul Nalawade, Founder and CEO, SwayamUrja Renewable Energy; Chetan G. Pathare, l/c Chief General Manager, (Business Development – RESCO), MAHAPREIT; Gunjar Bhoyar, Deputy General Manager, Business Development - C&I, AMPIN Energy Transition; Swapnil Wakade, Business Head – Residential Rooftop Solar, Ecofy; and Hardik Adhiya, Chairman and Director, Onix Solar Energy.
The panel explored the implications of the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy 2025-36, particularly for distributed renewable energy and commercial and industrial consumers, while also assessing the role of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in accelerating rooftop solar adoption across the state.
The session highlighted opportunities for decentralised solar across residential societies, MSMEs, industrial parks and rural Maharashtra. Financing innovations, emerging business models and stronger coordination among developers, consumers and utilities were identified as important enablers for the next phase of distributed energy deployment and Maharashtra’s transition towards a reliable, affordable and 24x7 clean electricity ecosystem.
The second session examined Maharashtra’s potential to emerge as a key hub for solar manufacturing and contribute to a more self-reliant and resilient domestic supply chain.
Discussions covered opportunities in modules, cells, inverters and ancillary components, supported by India’s domestic manufacturing initiatives, production-linked incentives and growing demand from both domestic and export markets.
The session was moderated by Shirish Garud, Consultant and Ex Director, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Other panellists included Ashok Singh, Independent Solar Consultant & Mentor; Amit Desai, General Manager-Key Accounts, Cosmic PV Power; Nikhil Gupta, VP-Sales, Joint Solar and Vipin Bhardwaj, Country Manager-India, SolaX Power.
The third session, moderated by Surbhi Kaushal, Associate Director – Power and Renewables, Crisil Intelligence, focused on the growing importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in integrating renewable energy, improving grid flexibility and enabling reliable power supply.
Discussions covered Maharashtra’s expanding pipeline of battery and pumped storage projects, with stakeholders examining applications across utility-scale, C&I and distributed energy systems.
Other panellists were Mitesh Chaudhary, VP-Business Development, Hexa Climate; Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA); Prateek Srivastava, Business Unit Head, Prostarm Info Systems; Deepak Ushadevi, MD & CEO, Ciel & Terre; Sahaj Mutha, Head - Solar and Energy Solutions, Vitronics Controls; and Kamlesh Kataria, COO, Kalpa Power.
The conference was supported by a strong lineup of industry partners, with Adani Solar as Gold Partner; Deye New Energy and Jio Sparq Microinverters as Silver Partners; Usha Shriram Solar and Chint Power as Solar Module & Energy Storage Partners; SolaX Power as BESS Partner; Joint Solar as Solar Module Partner; Zuvay as Turnkey Silicon, Wafer, Cell and Module Technology Partner; and Tata Power Solaroof, Cosmic, Itorrent and WaaCab as Onsite Branding Partners. The Maharashtra Solar Manufacturers Association supported the event as Industry Association Partner.
The conference also featured a technical training session by Solis, offering participants an opportunity for hands-on technical learning and knowledge exchange. Energetica India extended special thanks to all sponsors, partners and supporters for contributing to the success of the second edition of REconnect Pune.
The conference drew an overwhelming response within the first two hours, surpassing expectations and prompting the organising team to close registrations early due to limited seating availability. Attendance crossed the 500-plus mark, with participants accommodated to the maximum extent possible under the venue and registration system.
The event brought together policymakers, utilities, renewable energy developers, independent power producers, engineering, procurement and construction companies, manufacturers, technology providers, investors and other industry stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Maharashtra’s renewable energy transition.
During his welcome address, Hemant Arora, Director, Energetica India, said, “Maharashtra is not simply participating in India’s energy transition; it is helping define it. From rooftop solar and agricultural solarisation to utility-scale projects, battery energy storage, manufacturing and grid modernisation, the state is emerging as one of the country’s most dynamic clean energy markets.”
He further asserted that the energy transition must not be ambitious only on paper; it must be achievable on the ground. Emphasising the role of REconnect Summit in that direction, Arora added, “At Energetica India, we believe conferences should be more than presentations. They should spark conversations, challenge conventional thinking, create business opportunities and bring together the people who can actually make things happen. Sometimes, the most valuable outcome of a summit is not what happens on stage, but what happens outside the hall – through conversations, connections and collaborations that can translate into action.”
CA Abhijit Kelkar, Vice President, Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC), said, “As India aspires to become a $40 trillion economy and the third-largest economy in the world, the growth of industries and businesses will significantly increase the country’s energy requirements. This makes sustainable power critical, as the additional energy demand must be met without compromising the environment. With economic activity and business transactions expected to grow substantially, solar and other renewable energy sources will have to play a much larger role in meeting this demand.”
He further added, “There is a strong need for greater participation and innovation to meet India’s growing energy requirements. Conferences such as Reconnect are important platforms for networking, exchanging ideas and building partnerships among industry stakeholders. Such interactions can help identify new opportunities and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and sustainable solutions.”
Dr. Nilesh Rohankar, Additional Executive Engineer, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL), highlighted the utility’s ongoing restructuring, financial reforms and renewable energy initiatives, including its proposed IPO by December 2026.
“MSEDCL is working towards a proposed IPO by December 2026, with financial transparency, reduction of the cross-subsidy burden and improved operational efficiency as key objectives. As part of the financial restructuring, around INR 32,000 crore of debt is proposed to be taken over by the Maharashtra government and converted into government bonds. MSEDCL is also targeting a reduction in AT&C losses from around 13.5 percent currently to 10 percent or below by 2030. Maharashtra’s peak electricity demand has reached around 29 GW and is projected to rise to 45 GW by 2030,” he said.
Kanchan Bhosale, Dy. Executive Engineer, MSEDCL, highlighted the utility’s scale, noting that its peak demand exceeds 27 GW, the highest among India’s discoms, with around 3.5 crore consumers across Maharashtra excluding Mumbai.
MSEDCL has also improved collection and connection efficiency, with the latter rising from 95 percent to around 99 percent. The utility reported a profit of around INR 1,200 crore in the previous financial year.
On rooftop solar, Bhosale said that Maharashtra has received more than 14 lakh applications under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, while around 7.33 lakh installations with 2,687 MW capacity have been completed. “There is significant scope to accelerate installations, and MSEDCL is extending support to EPCs and industry stakeholders to address implementation challenges.”
She also highlighted the Maharashtra government’s SMART scheme, which targets 5 lakh rooftop installations, including 1.27 lakh for BPL consumers, with additional state subsidy over and above the central support.
Chetan G. Pathare, I/c Chief General Manager (Business Development – RESCO), Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT), said the organisation is focusing on solarisation of MSMEs through the RESCO model.
“We have received consent from more than 8,000 MSMEs in Maharashtra for solarisation and are now working on project implementation. We welcome solar developers, RESCO players, manufacturers and battery companies to collaborate with us,” he said.
Pathare also highlighted emerging opportunities in battery energy storage, particularly for larger commercial and industrial consumers, and said that MAHAPREIT is developing plans for behind-the-meter solutions.
The first panel discussion focused on Maharashtra’s distributed energy landscape, with discussions spanning rooftop solar, C&I decarbonisation and agricultural feeder solarisation.
The panel was moderated by Jaideep N. Malaviya, Managing Director, Malaviya Solar Energy Consultancy. Other panellists included Rahul Nalawade, Founder and CEO, SwayamUrja Renewable Energy; Chetan G. Pathare, l/c Chief General Manager, (Business Development – RESCO), MAHAPREIT; Gunjar Bhoyar, Deputy General Manager, Business Development - C&I, AMPIN Energy Transition; Swapnil Wakade, Business Head – Residential Rooftop Solar, Ecofy; and Hardik Adhiya, Chairman and Director, Onix Solar Energy.
The panel explored the implications of the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy 2025-36, particularly for distributed renewable energy and commercial and industrial consumers, while also assessing the role of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in accelerating rooftop solar adoption across the state.
The session highlighted opportunities for decentralised solar across residential societies, MSMEs, industrial parks and rural Maharashtra. Financing innovations, emerging business models and stronger coordination among developers, consumers and utilities were identified as important enablers for the next phase of distributed energy deployment and Maharashtra’s transition towards a reliable, affordable and 24x7 clean electricity ecosystem.
The second session examined Maharashtra’s potential to emerge as a key hub for solar manufacturing and contribute to a more self-reliant and resilient domestic supply chain.
Discussions covered opportunities in modules, cells, inverters and ancillary components, supported by India’s domestic manufacturing initiatives, production-linked incentives and growing demand from both domestic and export markets.
The session was moderated by Shirish Garud, Consultant and Ex Director, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Other panellists included Ashok Singh, Independent Solar Consultant & Mentor; Amit Desai, General Manager-Key Accounts, Cosmic PV Power; Nikhil Gupta, VP-Sales, Joint Solar and Vipin Bhardwaj, Country Manager-India, SolaX Power.
The third session, moderated by Surbhi Kaushal, Associate Director – Power and Renewables, Crisil Intelligence, focused on the growing importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in integrating renewable energy, improving grid flexibility and enabling reliable power supply.
Discussions covered Maharashtra’s expanding pipeline of battery and pumped storage projects, with stakeholders examining applications across utility-scale, C&I and distributed energy systems.
Other panellists were Mitesh Chaudhary, VP-Business Development, Hexa Climate; Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA); Prateek Srivastava, Business Unit Head, Prostarm Info Systems; Deepak Ushadevi, MD & CEO, Ciel & Terre; Sahaj Mutha, Head - Solar and Energy Solutions, Vitronics Controls; and Kamlesh Kataria, COO, Kalpa Power.
The conference was supported by a strong lineup of industry partners, with Adani Solar as Gold Partner; Deye New Energy and Jio Sparq Microinverters as Silver Partners; Usha Shriram Solar and Chint Power as Solar Module & Energy Storage Partners; SolaX Power as BESS Partner; Joint Solar as Solar Module Partner; Zuvay as Turnkey Silicon, Wafer, Cell and Module Technology Partner; and Tata Power Solaroof, Cosmic, Itorrent and WaaCab as Onsite Branding Partners. The Maharashtra Solar Manufacturers Association supported the event as Industry Association Partner.
The conference also featured a technical training session by Solis, offering participants an opportunity for hands-on technical learning and knowledge exchange. Energetica India extended special thanks to all sponsors, partners and supporters for contributing to the success of the second edition of REconnect Pune.
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