Union Power Minister Chairs Ministerial Meet At Bharat Electricity Summit 2026

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal chaired a ministerial meet on the second day of the Bharat Electricity Summit on 20 March 2026, where he called for coordinated efforts between Center and states for ensuring affordable and efficient power generation, transmission and distribution.

The meet was co-chaired by Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik and attended by Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria, Secretary at Ministry of Power Pankaj Agarwal, Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary (MNRE), and energy ministers and senior officials from various States/Uts.

The meeting focused on ensuring energy security and enhancing power generation, particularly through on-fossil energy sources. Secretaries of Power and MNRE also stressed the need for collective and coordinated action to meet the country’s growing energy demands.

Mr Lal stressed the need for energy security amid global uncertainties. He said there was a need to enhance the per capita energy consumption and accelerate the transition towards renewable energy. He also noted the potential of nuclear energy as a clean energy source and termed the SHANTI Act a significant step forward.

Mr. Lal assured the states of Center’s full support in implementing necessary reforms, including legal and administrative measures.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Shripad Naik highlighted the role of technology and Artificial Intelligence in transforming the power sector, citing the example of smart metering. He noted that half of India’s installed capacity is – non-fossil fuel sources and emphasized the importance of the new draft National Electricity Policy that outlines strategies to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.