IEW 2025: Major LNG Deals, Experts Discuss Solar, EVs, Tech Innovation on Day 3

The four-day IEW-2025 continued its dynamic discussions on Day 3, focusing on critical aspects of the nation's energy future, from LNG affordability and availability to the rise of Global Capability Centers, the expansion of city gas distribution, the potential of solar energy in agriculture, and the acceleration of electric vehicle adoption.

In a major move, Day 3 witnessed India solidifying its commitment to energy security by signing several key agreements. BPCL secured a contract with Petrobras (Brazil) for up to 6 million barrels of crude oil, diversifying India's import sources. Major strides were made in the natural gas sector, with IOCL and ADNOC (UAE) inking a USD 7 billion, 14-year deal for 1.2 MMTPA of LNG, and BPCL and ADNOC agreeing on a 5-year, extendable LNG offtake of 2.4 MMTPA. Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas highlighted these agreements as crucial steps toward a more resilient and sustainable energy future for the country. 

As per its first LNG export agreement with Nepal, IOCL will also export 1,000 TMT of LNG annually to Nepal. Technical collaborations were also forged, with ONGC partnering with bp for Mumbai High field optimisation and EIL collaborating with bp on refining and emission reduction technologies. Further upstream collaborations saw ONGC Videsh and Oil India Ltd. partnering with Petrobras for projects and deep-sea exploration. India also embraced clean energy solutions, with BPCL and Eco Wave Power (Israel) partnering to establish the country's first wave energy pilot project and BPCL collaborating with the National Sugar Institute for bio-ethanol production.

During the panel discussions, experts at IEW 2025 emphasised the crucial role of affordable and reliable LNG contracts in meeting India's growing gas demand. They noted that high prices have hampered gas-based power generation and stressed the importance of long-term contracts for supply security, particularly after the 2022 energy crisis. Discussions also touched upon LNG trucking, infrastructure development, and the potential benefits of integrating natural gas into GST. This was discussed in the session titled, 'Globally traded LNG—Shaping business models for the next era.'

Global oil and gas giants lauded India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) as vital hubs for innovation and R&D. Companies like ExxonMobil, Shell, bp, and SLB highlighted India's world-class talent pool and the shift from cost-effective back offices to strategic centres driving advanced technologies like digital twins and analytics. The projected USD 200 billion global market for energy equipment by 2030 presents significant opportunities for India's GCCs. This was discussed in a session titled, 'India’s Global Capability Centres—Harnessing the evolution of Oil & Gas R&D.'

Experts also discussed optimising India's City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, emphasising policy coordination, digital solutions, and innovative financing. While CGD has experienced recent growth, challenges remain in infrastructure development, particularly pipeline laying. The need for increased storage capacity and a stronger gas grid was also highlighted. Digital analytics, smart metering, and AI were identified as key tools for improving efficiency and consumer experience. This discussion  occurred during a panel titled, 'Optimising India’s Transformative City Gas Distribution Model to Deliver the Benefits of a Robust and Secure Gas-Based Economy.'

The potential of solar energy to transform agriculture was another key theme. Experts advocated for scaling solar solutions like pumps, cold storage, and agri-PV systems, stressing the need for innovative financing models and policy frameworks that support local workforces and integrate food and energy security. They also emphasised the importance of farmer-centric approaches and further research on the impact of solar energy on crop productivity. This  was highlighted in a session titled, 'Solar-Based Farm Mechanisation for Transforming Agriculture Across the Global South.'

Accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles was a central topic, with experts highlighting the need for substantial private investment in electric infrastructure, particularly in distribution transformers and capacity augmentation. They also emphasised the importance of standardisation across vehicle categories, public-private partnerships, R&D, and innovation. The growing role of LNG and hydrogen in future mobility was also acknowledged. Experts stressed the need for integrating technology, data, and AI for efficient energy needs prediction, as well as the importance of scaling demand, ensuring reliability, and building a skilled workforce for a successful e-mobility transition. This was empahsised in a discussion titeld,  'Establishing Transformative, Integrated E-Mobility Ecosystems in Emerging Economies.'