India Energy Week 2025 Highlights: Advancements in Clean Cooking, Global Energy Partnerships, and Renewable Investments on Day 2

On Day 2 of IEW 2025, India reinforced its commitment to clean cooking, expanded global energy partnerships, and secured significant renewable investments. Key discussions centered around LNG trade, energy storage, green hydrogen, and policy reforms, showcasing India’s leadership in the global energy transition.

The four-day India Energy Week (IEW) 2025, taking place from February 11 to 14 at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka, New Delhi, entered its second day, highlighting India’s advancements in clean cooking, international partnerships, renewable energy, and natural gas. Major announcements and collaborations emerged, paving the way for a sustainable energy future.

India championed universal access to clean cooking solutions by hosting the ‘Clean Cooking Ministerial,’ where energy ministers from Africa and Asia gathered to discuss global collaboration. The successful Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which has provided over 10.33 crore families with LPG connections, was showcased as a transformative model. Participating nations expressed interest in replicating the PMUY program, and India committed to supporting these efforts through knowledge sharing and technology transfer. Discussions also emphasized the need for affordability, infrastructure, and innovative solutions, such as solar cookers, while exploring cost reductions via carbon financing mechanisms.

The India-US energy partnership was further strengthened at IEW 2025, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to collaboration. High-level roundtable discussions focused on enhancing hydrocarbon trade, particularly in LNG and crude oil, to bolster energy security. Renewable energy investments, technology exchange in carbon capture and hydrogen, and joint investments in next-generation energy technologies were also prioritized, aiming to drive economic growth and sustainability for both countries.

Additionally, ONGC and Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. (TPREL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Day 2 of IEW 2025 to collaborate on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This partnership will explore various applications of BESS, from utility-scale storage to EV charging infrastructure, thus supporting India’s ambitious renewable energy targets. The collaboration will leverage TPREL’s expertise in deploying large-scale BESS projects and aligns with India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

ONGC NTPC Green Pvt. Ltd. (ONGPL), a joint venture between ONGC Green and NTPC Green Energy, announced the acquisition of 100 percent equity in Ayana Renewable Power for INR 195 billion (USD 2.3 billion). This acquisition significantly expands ONGPL’s renewable energy portfolio and reinforces the commitment of its parent companies to net-zero targets. Ayana’s 4.1 GW of operational and under-construction assets will play a vital role in achieving India’s renewable energy goals.

Furthermore, Indian Gas Exchange Ltd. (IGX) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) signed an MoU to enhance the natural gas market in India. This partnership will focus on creating a liquid and tradable market at the Chhara delivery point, utilizing HPCL’s newly commissioned LNG regasification terminal. The collaboration aims to increase gas consumption and support India’s transition toward a gas-based economy.

In a significant development, AG&P Pratham and THINK Gas announced their merger under the THINK Gas brand at India Energy Week 2025. The merged entity will operate across 10 percent of India’s landmass, covering 50 districts in 10 states and serving over 180 million people. Backed by substantial foreign direct investment, THINK Gas plans to invest USD 1 billion over the next eight years to expand its network to 24,000 inch-km of pipelines and over 2,000 CNG stations. This merger aims to create one of India’s largest natural gas networks by leveraging operational efficiencies and expanding market reach.

Moreover, IEW 2025 featured a session on ‘Scaling Renewables and the Advanced Energy Solutions Landscape,’ where renewable energy leaders discussed strategies to boost India’s renewable energy production and adoption. Industry giants, including Gurdeep Singh, Chairman and MD of NTPC; Sushil Purohit, CEO of Gentari; and Amit Singh, CEO of Adani Green Energy, outlined their approaches to achieving the ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. They emphasized the need for sustainable growth through a balanced energy mix and the development of a local supply chain to support renewable energy projects, which would also create significant employment opportunities.

In another panel titled ‘Balancing Exploration and Expansion with Decarbonisation,’ leaders from the oil and gas sector discussed the need to balance sector expansion with decarbonization efforts. Key speakers, including Dr. Ranjit Rath from Oil India Ltd., Dr. Rajarshi Gupta from ONGC Videsh Ltd., and Aparna Raman from SLB, addressed how to enhance production while minimizing carbon emissions. They underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors to achieve India’s energy security goals while reducing its carbon footprint.

The session ‘Bridging the Energy Transition’s Investment Gaps’ focused on the crucial role of affordability in accelerating India’s clean energy transition. Experts discussed how favorable financial terms and strong returns on investment are essential for driving investments in renewable energy. The importance of public-private partnerships was highlighted as a key factor in meeting India’s clean energy goals.

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) presented an overview of the 25 blocks available in the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Bid Round X at India Energy Week 2025. This session detailed the largest OALP bid round in terms of acreage available under a single round, covering an area of approximately 191,986.21 sq. km. across 13 sedimentary basins. Technical experts presented analyses of the blocks to highlight their hydrocarbon potential and discussed regulatory changes aimed at making exploration and production more attractive to investors.

Overall, Day 2 of IEW 2025 showcased India’s commitment to advancing clean energy initiatives and fostering international collaborations to support a sustainable energy future.