DIALLING 'D' FOR DIVERSIFICATION

The third edition of India Energy Week saw energy leaders and policymakers stressing a nuanced approach to energy transition, focussing on diversification of energy mix and preparing for AI-driven energy demand

- By Arjun Yadav

After two spectacular editions of the India Energy Week in Bengaluru and Goa, the third edition of the world’s second-largest energy conference made its way to the capital this year at the Yashobhoomi in Dwarka. The four-day conference kicked off on February 11 in the backdrop of PM Narendra Modi’s first official visit to the United States since Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The timing was interesting, as energy cooperation was expected to form a significant chunk of talks between these two heads of state.

Modi, however, did send a recorded message to open the conference, and from the get-go, it made clear as to the path that India’s energy transition drive would take. He laid out the five pillars of India’s energy ambitions — harnessing resources, encouraging innovation among brilliant minds, economic strength and political stability, strategic geography making energy trade attractive and easier, and commitment to global sustainability.

These five pillars essentially reflect the evolving domestic and international realities, such as balancing energy transition and energy security given the growing demand in India’s economy, the dynamics of energy trade and how they will be altered with President Trump in power, and staying firm to the commitment of sustainability in the age of climate scepticism and growing ‘cancel’ culture.

This was evident in PM Modi’s message as well. He reiterated several green goals that India has set for itself for 2030 and 2070 but also stressed that India’s basins hold numerous hydrocarbon resources, some of which have already been identified while others await exploration.