Energy Transition Should be Accompanied by 'Energy Justice': Hardeep Singh Puri

As the 3rd edition of the India Energy Week kickstarted on Tuesday, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said that energy transition is not about eliminating hydrocarbons overnight but more about shifting the primacy of one energy source from another.

Addressing the inaugural session of the event, he said, “this transition isn't about eliminating hydrocarbons overnight but leveraging them strategically by scaling renewables to mitigate emissions.”

He further said that energy justice must remain at the core of the imminent transformation. “A pragmatic transition risks deepening inequality, leaving billions without reliable energy, while wealthier nations surge ahead”, the Union Minister stated. He further mentioned that if the transition is not just, it will not succeed as the political economy will not allow it.

The India Energy Week 2025 is getting hosted at New Delhi's Yashobhoomi convention centre from February 11-14 and will witness energy collaboration among global energy leaders, policymakers, innovators and industry experts.

Talking about the continuing role of non fossil fuel energy sources in the country's energy mix, Puri said that even when renewables become the dominant energy sources, oil and gas will continue to play an important role. “Not just in power generation, but in stabilizing grids, industrialization and energy storage innovation”, he added.

AI & Clean Cooking: New Drivers of Demand in Energy Landscape

According to the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, three forces will play a critical role in shaping the energy landscape of the coming years. “Artificial intelligence(AI) and clean cooking are emerging as major energy demand drivers, each shaping the future of economies in the future,” he opined.

AI is one of the largest energy consumers, with data center demand rising 18-20% annually by 2030. Additionally, India's AI-driven digital economy is projected to reach US $400 billion by 2030 presenting both a challenge and an opportunity. Talking about this growing demand he said, “The real question is not how we will meet this surge in demand, but how we will do so without destabilizing grids or derailing climate commitments,” he said.

He further noted that AI itself will enhance fossil fuel efficiency and re-shape the energy equation, where intelligence versus resources dictates energy security. “The next great leap will come from disimantling the idea of centralized energy in the form of AI-driven grids that predict demand for energy”, the Union Minister said.

He also said that expanding clean cooking will require a multi-fuel strategy such as scaling traditional LPG, augmenting bio-CNG, accelerating electrification, and challenging investments in areas such as integration, decentralized renewables, and green power and micro-grids to support electric and induction cooking.

However he further stated that the challenge is not in technology, but in scaling access equitably.

The Energy week event will witness the participation of more than 70,000 energy professionals from over 50 countries. More than 20 energy and other ministers, including their deputies, from important stakeholders such as Qatar, UK, Russia, Brazil, Britannia and Venezuela among many more will also be present.