changeadminIndia has demonstrated strong preparedness to navigate sustained geopolitical volatility in global energy markets while remaining firmly at the centre of global energy dialogue, India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri, said at the Closing Ceremony of India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 in Goa.
India Energy Week is the country’s flagship global energy platform, bringing together government leaders, industry executives and innovators to accelerate progress toward a secure, sustainable and affordable energy future.
India Energy Week 2026 was held in Goa from 27 January to 30 January, and over the course of the week, the flagship global energy conclave highlighted India’s central role in the global energy ecosystem while uniting policymakers, business leaders, innovators and investors to drive pragmatic solutions for a secure, sustainable and affordable energy future.
Speaking during the closing fireside chat, the Minister underlined that India’s energy strategy is anchored in diversification, resilience and forward-looking transitions.
“India has coped very well with successive geopolitical shocks. Each challenge has been converted into an opportunity—through diversification of supply sources and a rapid transition towards cleaner fuels,” Mr Puri said.
Highlighting India’s growing global standing, he noted that the country is today the world’s third-largest energy consumer, fourth-largest refiner and among the leading exporters of petroleum products. “India will continue to ensure availability, affordability and sustainability of energy, even amid global uncertainty,” he added.
Following the Minister, Dr Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, outlined the government’s roadmap to support India’s projected economic growth of over 7 per cent.
Dr Neeraj Mittal emphasised strengthening domestic exploration and production to enhance energy self-reliance, alongside positioning India as a reliable global supplier of refined products.
Dr Mittal also highlighted the growing role of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and logistics optimisation in improving operational efficiency and resilience across the energy value chain.
The closing day also marked the culmination of IEW 2026, with awards recognising innovation, technological excellence, and leadership across startups, academia, and industry.
AVINYA – The Energy Startup Challenge
The AVINYA challenge recognised emerging Indian startups delivering innovative, technology-driven solutions for the energy sector:
Minimines Cleantech Solutions emerged as the winner of the AVINYA challenge, recognised for its proprietary HHM process that enables low-carbon recovery of high-value materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, with applications extending to solar panels, catalytic converters, and permanent magnets.
The first Runner-Up was awarded to Ossus Biorenewables for its biochemical process that converts industrial wastewater into green hydrogen.
The second Runner-Up award went to Tranzmeo IT Solutions for AI-driven fibre-sensing applications enabling accurate monitoring of pipelines, vents, and CCUS processes.
Third Runner-Up was awarded to Rezlytix Technologies for an AI-powered deep information maximisation engine that is revolutionising oil and gas exploration, and fourth Runner-Up went to Petrobot Technologies for robotic inspection solutions in hydrocarbon plants and vessels.
VASUDHA – Overseas Upstream Startup Challenge
This international challenge recognised startups advancing upstream technology.
The VASUDHA challenge was won by the Netherlands-based SENERGETICS for its AI-driven corrosion monitoring solutions that enhance safety, reliability and sustainability in upstream operations.
The Runner-Up trophy went to the USA-based Resermine Inc for its Hawkeye hybrid model engine, which optimises reservoir engineering workflows.
Hackathon Challenge
Seven premier institutes participated in the Hackathon Challenge, with awards recognising innovative problem-solving in energy technology.
The Hackathon Challenge was won by IIT Bombay for Aura, an AI-powered unified reservoir analysis platform that integrates advanced machine learning to improve exploration and production decision-making.
IIT Delhi was declared the Runner-up for a circular economy approach that uses a biobasic solvent-based CO₂ capture and mineralisation process using steel-industry slag.
FIPI / IIP Annual Industry Awards
Industry excellence was recognised through the FIPI/IIP Annual Awards, with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) named Exploration Company of the Year and Oil India Limited awarded Oil & Gas Production Company of the Year (Over 1 MTOE).
Reliance Industries Limited’s SEZ Refinery at Jamnagar was recognised as Refinery of the Year, while innovation leadership was jointly awarded to Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s R&D Division and Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Limited’s Innovation Centre.
India Energy Week 2026 concluded by reinforcing India’s position as a steady, credible and pragmatic energy leader—capable of balancing energy security, affordability and sustainability—while fostering innovation and global collaboration across the energy ecosystem.
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