Puri: The Global Energy Leaders’ Summit 2025 (GELS 2025) was inaugurated today by Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, who outlined an ambitious vision for Odisha to emerge as a green energy state by 2036. The Chief Minister stated that the state is making the energy supply chain a key element of its development strategy, aiming to reduce the cost of fossil fuel energy production and consumption.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, Delhi Energy Minister Shri Ashish Sood, Rajasthan Energy Minister Shri Hir Lal Nagar, Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja, Principal Secretary, Department of Energy Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, Senior Energy Advisor, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Shri Pierre Noel, and Professor Anup Singh from IIT Kanpur graced the occasion.
During his address, the Chief Minister underscored the critical need for uninterrupted power supply for rural populations and stressed that Odisha is investing in its future generations in the energy sector, recognizing electricity as a top priority and essential infrastructure for self-reliance. He also called for every state to prioritize its own energy production and conservation, positioning GELS 2025 as the first global initiative to prepare a clear roadmap for clean energy by uniting the Centre, States, Industry, Researchers, Institutions, and global experts.
The Chief Minister highlighted the significant progress in India’s power sector over the last decade, noting that challenges of insufficient generation and long power outages common before 2014 have been largely overcome due to the Prime Minister’s guidance and visionary initiatives. He emphasized that sufficient energy and robust distribution infrastructure are vital for sustainable development.
Odisha has developed a special strategy for sustainable progress, setting a long-term goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070. The Chief Minister announced that power generation has been included as a domestic industry in Odisha’s industrial policy, with special emphasis on renewable energy.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, commended Odisha’s progress and announced the approval of 1.5 lakh solar houses for the state, benefiting seven to eight lakh people. He highlighted India’s rapid solar power capacity growth, from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 130 GW currently, and affirmed Odisha’s role in strengthening India’s clean energy transition.
Former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair congratulated Odisha via video conferencing, remarking that successful energy transformation requires multiple governments working in the same direction over time, which is the core purpose of the Summit.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Bardhan Singh Deo, in his welcome address, referenced the Konark Sun Temple as a reminder of India’s ancient connection to energy. He stated that the state has set a target of transforming industry and agriculture using renewable energy by 2030 and is working to become a leading hub of clean energy, manufacturing, and green hydrogen by 2036, marking the state’s centenary.