The 25th edition of the Energy Efficiency Summit commenced on 16th September 2026 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), bringing together industry leaders, technology providers, energy experts, and financial stakeholders to discuss developments in energy efficiency and industrial decarbonization. Organised by the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (CII-GBC), the summit featured cross-sectoral plenary sessions, specialised forums, and an industrial exhibition. The Power Info Today team was on the ground to cover the key discussions, technology developments, and sector-specific insights emerging from Day 1 of the Energy Efficiency Summit.
22nd Power Plant Summit 2026
Theme: Empowering the Future of Thermal Power: Efficiency, Sustainability, Flexibility & Artificial Intelligence
Day 1 of the Power Plant Summit examined developments in thermal power operations, with discussions spanning digital transformation, plant reliability, operational flexibility, and emerging technologies across three structured technical sessions:
- AI and Digitalization in Power Generation: The opening session examined the growing application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in power generation, covering operational challenges, cybersecurity considerations, machine learning applications, and approaches for implementing digital systems across utility-scale power operations.
- Emerging Trends in Thermal Power: This session covered emerging technology and operational developments in thermal generation, including agentic AI for autonomous process control, performance considerations for supercritical and subcritical units during cyclic operations, robotic high-pressure cleaning of air preheaters (APH), and Inconel cladding techniques for addressing boiler corrosion and erosion.
- Innovations in Reliability, Sustainability, and Fuel Transition: The final session focused on improving thermal asset performance through predictive maintenance, circular economy practices, and sustainability measures. Discussions also included deployment experiences from industrial Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects.
20th PaperTech 2026
Theme: Make Indian Pulp & Paper Industry World Class
The PaperTech forum focused on improving energy performance, process efficiency, and technological capabilities across the pulp and paper industry through a series of technical discussions:
- Innovations Driving Efficiency and Growth: Discussions examined advancements in pulp processing, fibre handling, energy-efficient cooling tower technologies, integrated plant automation, and process integration aimed at improving plant-level efficiency.
- Roadmap to Global Competitiveness: A dedicated panel considered the factors influencing the competitiveness of Indian paper mills, including resource availability, environmental compliance requirements, and operational benchmarks aligned with global industry practices.
- Packaging and Sustainable Materials: The session explored sustainable and circular packaging solutions, with attention to high-performance and smart paper-based packaging technologies and their role in evolving material applications.
- Best Practices Showcase: Day 1 also saw the start of technical presentations under the Energy Awards category, highlighting energy-saving initiatives and implementation practices from participating paper mills.
Cleantech Nexus 2026 (CII-GEC)
Theme: Enabling Cleantech Ecosystem Collaboration & Accelerating Sustainable Innovation
Cleantech Nexus focused on emerging clean technologies, their commercialisation pathways, and the ecosystem needed to support their wider industrial adoption:
- Climate Finance and Ecosystem Collaboration: The opening panel explored approaches to supporting early-stage cleantech ventures through venture funding, incubation mechanisms, and collaboration between startups and established corporates.
- Sustainable Technology Showcases: Two specialised showcase tracks presented market-oriented clean technology solutions, including zero-emission energy systems, thermal storage technologies, and automated carbon-accounting platforms.
- Industrial Scaling and Startup Journeys: Discussions examined the practical challenges of deploying cleantech solutions within heavy industrial environments, while startup founders shared perspectives on regulatory approvals, operational challenges, and developing sustainable business models.
- Sectoral Pitch Tracks: The day concluded with startup and venture presentations across battery and energy-storage technologies, automated circular waste sorting, sustainable water management, and industrial decarbonization hardware.
Looking Ahead: From Strategy to Actionable Decarbonization
The Power Info Today team observed that Day 1 of the Energy Efficiency Summit reflected the breadth of technologies and operational approaches being explored across India’s energy-intensive industries. The parallel forums connected developments in thermal power, manufacturing efficiency, sustainable materials, artificial intelligence, predictive maintenance, carbon accounting, and energy storage. Discussions also highlighted the importance of technology deployment, financing, and industry collaboration in supporting practical decarbonization efforts. With further sessions scheduled across the summit, the upcoming discussions are expected to continue examining the technologies, operational strategies, and sector-specific approaches shaping the transition towards greater energy efficiency and lower-carbon industrial operations.