ICC India Energy Summit 2026 Charts Priorities for Power Sector

The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted the first day of the 20th India Energy Summit 2026 on October 13 in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, government representatives and industry leaders to discuss India's evolving energy landscape. Held under the theme “The Energy Business: The Present, Diversification and The Future,” the summit is supported by the Ministry of Power, Government of India.

Against the backdrop of rising power demand and growing energy crisis, the summit focused on key issues shaping the sector, including energy diversification, reliable and affordable electricity, renewable energy integration, grid stability and energy storage. Discussions also covered the potential of biofuels, coal gasification, hydrogen and nuclear power, alongside developments in electricity markets, with an emphasis on industry collaboration and solutions to meet India's future energy needs.

Addressing the summit, Gurdeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, NTPC, highlighted the impact of economic growth, El Niño conditions, AI, data centres and rising cooling requirements on electricity demand, calling for greater grid flexibility, investment in energy storage and technological self-reliance.

He stated, “The real question is not whether thermal power or renewable energy should take precedence, but whether we can provide power on demand and at an affordable price. With coal continuing to play a significant role in meeting India's electricity needs and renewable energy capacity expanding, grid flexibility and energy storage are becoming increasingly important. Technology self-reliance is equally critical to energy security and we must develop domestic alternatives that reduce import dependence while advancing a diversified energy mix.”

Anil Razdan, Former Power Secretary, Government of India, and Chairman of the ICC Expert Committee on Energy, highlighted how geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global energy transportation are reshaping energy markets. He observed that rising oil prices reflect not only concerns around fuel availability but also the growing cost and complexity of transporting energy to major consumption centres.

Razdan said, “Recent global disruptions have brought energy security sharply into focus. The challenge is not simply the availability of fuel, but also its transportation and the cost of getting it to growing consumption centres. Renewable energy offers enormous potential, but its intermittent nature makes storage an essential part of the power system. Unless adequate storage infrastructure is developed, we will not be able to realise the full potential of renewable energy.”

Razdan also stressed that sustained investment across the energy value chain depends on a supportive business environment, with clear regulations, access to raw materials and viable markets. Underscoring the importance of financial stability in power distribution, he said that distribution companies (discoms) must be strengthened to ensure timely revenue recovery and enable continued investment in the sector.

Emphasising the need for proactive planning and targeted policy interventions to address rising electricity demand and emerging pressures on the power system, Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), added, “With electricity demand rising significantly, we need to plan well in advance to manage the demand-supply gap. This calls for stronger demand forecasting and appropriate policies to address emerging requirements, including the growing energy needs of data centres. Building a more India-centric manufacturing ecosystem and strengthening domestic capabilities in power sector components will also be critical to reducing dependence on global supply chains and enhancing India's energy security.”

The summit's inaugural session also featured a theme presentation by Anujesh Dwivedi, Power Utilities and Renewables Leader, Deloitte, the summit's knowledge partner and award evaluator. Special addresses were delivered by Abhigyan Kotnala, CEO, Fortgloster Industries; Sudip Nag, Managing Director, Jindal Power; and Kush Singh, Managing Director, Enecovery.

The first day's technical sessions cover power capacity addition across renewable, thermal and hydro sources; the role of biofuels in integrating agricultural and energy economies; and grid access and stability for resilient renewable energy integration, including storage support and commercial optimisation. Another session examines opportunities to enhance coal gasification and develop coal derivatives, by-products and chemicals.