The 18th edition of The smarter E India (previously known as Intersolar India) opened today at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and global innovators working across solar energy, energy storage, green hydrogen and electric mobility. Organised by Messe Muenchen India, The smarter E India now brings together not only Intersolar India, but also ees India, Power2Drive India and EV Asia Expo under one roof, reflecting the wider shift in how India is approaching the energy transition. This year’s edition features over 280 exhibitors from more than 15 countries. Alongside the exhibition, a high-level technical conference is being held at Bandhej, The Leela Hotel, Gandhinagar, with over 60+ speakers from across policy, technology and clean energy business innovation. As part of its outreach efforts, actor Pratik Gandhi has endorsed The smarter E India 2026 as the Brand Ambassador. The exhibition was formally inaugurated by Shri Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel, Honourable Minister – Energy and Petrochemicals, Panchayat and Rural Housing, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Gujarat, and Shri Arjunbhai Devabhai Modhwadia, Honourable Minister – Forests & Environment, Climate Change, Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat. In addition, Shri Kaushikbhai Kantibhai Vekariya, Honourable Minister, Law & Justice, Energy & Petrochemicals, Legislative & Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of Gujarat, also graced the event. Addressing the gathering, Shri Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel, Honourable Minister – Energy and Petrochemicals, Panchayat and Rural Housing, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Gujarat, said, “Gujarat’s energy transformation has been decisive and sustained, with power generation increasing nearly tenfold since 2001 and significant expansion in transmission and consumer awareness. Guided by the vision set during Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’s tenure as Chief Minister, the state embedded environmental responsibility early and today leads across wind, solar, and battery storage. Our newly launched policy-driven frameworks ensure transparency and equal opportunity for every serious investor. It is a matter of pride that Gujarat ranks among the highest in electricity consumption, reflecting strong industrial and economic growth. Platforms like The smarter E India further strengthen this momentum by bringing innovators, manufacturers, and policymakers together to advance India’s green energy future.” The conference theme this year, Adoption to Leadership: Powering Atmanirbhar Bharat through Technological Innovation, reflects a broader shift underway on technology readiness on self-reliance. Discussions are focused on how India can move beyond being a large clean energy market to becoming a global hub for technology development and advanced manufacturing. Key areas of focus include domestic value chains, manufacturing scale-up, grid integration, storage deployment and green hydrogen expansion. The 2026 edition also features Voices of India’s Energy Leaders – The smarter E India POD Cast Series, along with the Innovation Forum. These initiatives aim to take industry conversations beyond the exhibition floor by capturing insights from policymakers, technologists and business leaders shaping the sector.
