The 29th Energy Technology Meet (ETM 2026) was inaugurated today at the ONGC Advanced Training Institute in Goa by Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri. The three-day event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, technology providers and energy experts to discuss innovations shaping India’s energy future.
Organised by the Centre for High Technology (CHT) under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, and co-hosted by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), the meet is themed “Accelerating Energy Innovation: From Research to Commercialisation.” The platform aims to strengthen collaboration across the energy value chain and accelerate the development and commercial adoption of emerging technologies.
This is the largest ETM edition so far, with over 2,500 delegates, more than 250 speakers, 44 technical sessions and over 220 exhibition stalls.
During a fireside chat at the event, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri discussed how India responded to disruptions in global energy supply while seeking to protect consumers from the full impact of the crisis. He highlighted the importance of acting across domestic production, alternative imports and last-mile delivery, noting that LPG production was increased significantly to support household requirements. The discussion also underlined the role of coordination across oil and gas public sector undertakings, refineries and distribution networks in maintaining continuity of essential fuel supplies.
The conversation also focused on strengthening India’s long-term energy resilience through diversified supply sources, greater domestic production and a wider basket of fuels. The Minister highlighted the potential of compressed biogas (CBG) to turn agricultural residue and organic waste into energy while creating additional value for farmers and rural communities. Opportunities in sustainable aviation fuel and other next-generation biofuels were also discussed, alongside the need to strengthen domestic research, support start-ups and bring Indian technologies from development and pilot stages to commercial deployment.
He also discussed India’s response to disruptions in global energy supplies and the role of oil marketing companies (OMCs) in maintaining fuel availability. He highlighted how OMCs had navigated the West Asia crisis effectively, coordinating across refineries, supply networks and distribution channels to ensure continuity of essential fuel supplies. The discussion also covered measures to increase domestic LPG production, diversify import sources and protect consumers from the impact of global supply disruptions.
The Minister emphasized that India’s energy sourcing decisions were guided by its national interests and energy requirements. He highlighted that there are more than one lakh retail outlets in the country, but we managed to not let even a single RO go dry.
The conversation also explored ways to strengthen long-term energy resilience through greater domestic production and a diversified energy mix, including the potential of compressed biogas (CBG), opportunities in sustainable aviation fuel and next-generation biofuels, and the need to strengthen India’s research and development ecosystem to accelerate the commercialisation of indigenous energy technologies.
A key announcement at the event was the development of a National Oil and Gas R&D Vision following detailed consultations. To support its implementation, the government is establishing the National Hydrocarbon Technology Hub (NHTH), an expanded institutional platform to coordinate research and development across the sector.
The NHTH will subsume the existing Centre for High Technology (CHT) and operate with a broader mandate, bringing together central public sector enterprises, private-sector R&D, start-ups, MSMEs, academia, Centres of Excellence and research institutions around shared national priorities. The initiative is intended to strengthen coordination, reduce duplication and accelerate the development and deployment of globally competitive indigenous technologies—creating a more connected energy research ecosystem under the vision of “One Vision, One Ecosystem.”
The Minister also visited the exhibition, where technology providers, process licensors, engineering firms and energy companies showcased products, technologies and solutions for the downstream hydrocarbon sector. The exhibition offered stakeholders an opportunity to demonstrate technological advancements, exchange knowledge and explore solutions to emerging industry challenges.
The inaugural programme also highlighted government initiatives aimed at diversifying India’s energy mix and strengthening domestic energy production. GOBARdhan, the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme, has an outlay of ₹23,731 crore for FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36 to scale up compressed biogas production and support the circular bioeconomy. Complementing these efforts, Samudra Manthan, the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, has an approved outlay of ₹84,084 crore up to FY 2030–31 to boost oil and gas exploration in deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas and contribute to India’s long-term energy security.
The Minister also interacted with the media during a press conference, addressing issues relating to India’s energy landscape, including fuel availability, energy security, the energy transition and initiatives to diversify energy sources.
Running until October 29, ETM 2026 features technical presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions and an exhibition. Focus areas include green hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, carbon capture, crude-to-chemicals, biofuels, gas-based energy, refining technologies and digitalisation. The programme brings together experts from India and abroad to share research, exchange industry perspectives and identify opportunities to translate technological advances into commercially viable solutions.
The programme also features MC² Ignite, sessions on building a start-up ecosystem in India, and the Start-Up Awards and Refinery Performance & Innovation Awards, recognising technological advancements and innovation across the energy industry. An R&D Conclave by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) will focus on Net Zero refineries, energy efficiency, green hydrogen, biomass valorisation, water management and emerging technologies, while fostering collaboration across India’s energy sector.