Bhubaneswar: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in collaboration with the Department of Energy, organised the CII Energy Conclave 2026 in the Odisha capital here on Thursday.

The conclave, organised on the theme ‘Powering Eastern India’s Green Transition – Policy, Innovation & Industrial Decarbonisation’, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, energy experts, technology providers and sustainability professionals to discuss strategies for accelerating Odisha’s transition towards a low-carbon and sustainable future.

In his inaugural address, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Sing Deo, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to becoming a leading clean energy investment hub. He highlighted Odisha’s target of achieving 11 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 through solar, wind, pumped storage and hybrid energy projects.

Singh Deo informed that Odisha has received investment intents worth Rs 67,000 crore for 6.7 GW renewable energy projects, while green hydrogen and green ammonia projects along the state’s coastline are supporting the growth of green industries. He further noted that nearly Rs 2 lakh crore worth of clean energy projects have been approved, with an additional Rs 30,000 crore expected in transmission infrastructure, supporting Odisha’s Vision 2047 for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Speaking on the occasion, Energy Department Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev highlighted the state government’s efforts to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, green hydrogen and sustainable industrial development. He announced Rs 4,500 crore for strengthening Odisha’s transmission and distribution infrastructure and emphasized the importance of collaboration among developers, technology providers, financial institutions and local communities to build a resilient energy ecosystem. Dev also announced that the Global Energy Leaders Summit 2026 will be held in Bhubaneswar and invited stakeholders to participate in the event.

Addressing the inaugural session, Anil Kumar Singh, Chairman, CII Odisha State Council and President, JSW Steel Limited, highlighted Odisha’s growing significance as a hub for clean energy investments and sustainable industrial development. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government, industry, investors and financial institutions to position the state as the green energy gateway of Eastern India.

Devesh Goel, Chairman, CII Eastern Region Energy Subcommittee and Managing Director, Laser Power & Infra Ltd, set the context for the conclave by noting that the global energy landscape is undergoing rapid transformation driven by energy security, affordability, sustainability and resilience.

Vijay Chand, Regional Executive Director, NTPC Ltd, emphasized the need for Eastern India to balance industrial growth with sustainability through a multi-pronged energy transition strategy.

Prashant Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Saatvik Solar Industries Private Limited highlighted the critical role of domestic solar manufacturing in strengthening India’s energy security and supporting the country’s renewable energy ambitions. He emphasized the need for continued policy support, technology innovation and supply chain resilience to accelerate large-scale solar deployment.

Prashant Choubey, President & Head, Green Hydrogen & Ammonia Business, Avaada Group underscored the transformative potential of green hydrogen and green ammonia in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and driving sustainable industrial growth. He noted that Odisha’s strong industrial ecosystem, port infrastructure and renewable energy potential position the state as a key destination for green hydrogen investments and exports.

In his concluding address, Manikanta Naik emphasized the need for collaborative action among government, industry, financial institutions and technology providers to accelerate Eastern India’s green transition, and underscored Odisha’s strategic advantages, progressive policy framework, strong industrial base and vast renewable energy potential position the state to emerge as a national leader in clean energy, green hydrogen and sustainable industrial development.

The conclave also hosted a parallel stakeholders’ consultation with the Department of Energy, providing a platform for industry representatives to discuss policy interventions, regulatory reforms and emerging opportunities in the energy sector.

Technical deliberations were organized around three key themes: Creating Green Value and Building Climate Resilience for Indian Industry; Green Hydrogen, Future Fuels, Renewable Energy, Storage & Grid Integration – Building Odisha’s Clean Energy Future; and From Reform to Transition: Unlocking Market Mechanisms for Industrial Decarbonization. Discussions focused on climate resilience, renewable energy integration, green hydrogen, energy storage systems, transmission infrastructure, carbon markets, policy reforms, financial incentives and market-based mechanisms for accelerating industrial decarbonization.