New Delhi, Aug 19: India hosted the eighth BRICS Youth Energy Summit virtually under its 2026 BRICS Chairship, bringing together more than 100 participants and placing youth cooperation at the centre of discussions on energy security, access and technological innovation.
Held on August 17, the summit featured young energy professionals from academia, government institutions and energy ministries of BRICS countries, along with representatives of the BRICS Youth Energy Agency and international organisations including Sustainable Energy for All, the International Solar Alliance and the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Under India’s BRICS Chairship theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” the Energy Track focused on “Energy for All,” highlighting the need for universal, affordable and inclusive access to energy.
More than 20 youth panellists shared country perspectives and experiences across three priority areas—energy security and sustainability, energy access and equity, and technology and innovation.
The discussions stressed the need for resilient and diversified energy systems, affordable and inclusive energy access and innovative financing to accelerate clean-energy deployment.
Participants also identified technological innovation and digitalisation as key enablers of flexible and resilient energy systems, with reliable energy data, interoperability, cybersecurity and skilled human resources highlighted as important requirements.
The summit also focused on turning youth participation into practical outcomes through joint research, technology demonstrations, knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives among BRICS countries.
Indian participants highlighted national initiatives and reforms aimed at strengthening energy security, expanding access and accelerating clean-energy deployment, including PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar, the SHANTI Act and the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
India also showcased the India Energy Stack and its experience in diversifying the energy mix, strengthening power distribution infrastructure and advancing decentralised renewable energy and digitalisation.
The BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence on Smart Grids and Energy Storage was highlighted as a platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building and cooperation in smart grids, energy storage and grid resilience.
The summit reaffirmed the role of BRICS youth in shaping a secure, sustainable and inclusive energy future and advancing cooperation in line with the “Energy for All” vision.
