India is expected to account for as much as 35 per cent of the increase in global energy demand over the next 20 years, highlighting the country’s growing influence in shaping the future energy landscape, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said at the opening of India Energy Week 2026 in Goa. The event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to discuss energy security, sustainability and investment opportunities.
Addressing delegates, Mr. Puri underscored that India’s expanding economy and rising energy requirements place it at the heart of global energy growth. He noted that a large share of incremental global energy demand today comes from emerging and developing economies, especially in Asia, and India’s rapid expansion will significantly contribute to this trend.
The Minister outlined the energy “trilemma” facing the nation, the need to balance availability, affordability, and sustainability, and stressed that India has worked to ensure a reliable energy supply at competitive prices across the country. He reiterated that while the world is transitioning toward cleaner sources, conventional energy will continue to play a vital role alongside renewables and alternative fuels, rather than being replaced outright.
Mr. Puri highlighted several domestic achievements and initiatives supporting this balanced approach. India has reached 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol, resulting in substantial savings in foreign exchange and increased income for farmers through expanded biofuel markets. Additionally, the government is advancing initiatives in green hydrogen, compressed biogas, LNG, and CNG, further diversifying the energy mix and reducing environmental impact.
Reforms in the upstream oil and gas sector are also underway to attract investment and boost domestic production. These include opening large areas of sedimentary basins for exploration, launching new bidding rounds under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy ,and progressing seismic surveys in deep and ultra-deepwater blocks. Puri assured that continued policy reform and investment support will enhance India’s position as a preferred destination for energy projects.
Complementing the Minister’s remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the scale of investment opportunities in India’s energy sector during the conference. He identified prospects worth up to USD 500 billion across refining, LNG infrastructure, gas distribution, and exploration, and set a target of attracting USD 100 billion in oil and gas sector investment by 2030. The Prime Minister also spoke about plans to expand India’s refining capacity and enhance domestic energy production capacity.
The discussions at India Energy Week reflect broader industry views on the future of energy demand and supply. With global energy consumption patterns shifting and demand expected to grow across all fuel types, from fossil fuels to electricity and gas, India’s leadership role in energy growth and transition is becoming increasingly prominent.
