Third edition of International Energy Festival of Kerala 2026 concludes

C. Balagopal, chairman, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), on Monday underscored the importance of industrial innovation, institutional reforms and coordinated action in accelerating Kerala’s transition towards energy efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Mr. Balagopal was delivering the valedictory address at the third edition of the International Energy Festival of Kerala (IEFK 2026) at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) in Kochi. The event was organised by the Energy Management Centre (EMC).

On the occasion, Ajith Kumar, executive chairman, Board for Public Sector Transformation, emphasised the need for systemic transformation, policy actions and public sector leadership for achieving energy and climate goals aligned with national and global priorities.

The festival, held from February 7 to 9, featured technical sessions, policy dialogues, student-focused programmes and public outreach initiatives. EMC director R. Harikumar described the festival as a platform that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, international agencies and students for advancing Kerala’s clean energy vision.

Participants in the event included Global Green Growth Institute, the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy and the Global Buildings Performance Network and State government departments such as the Electrical Inspectorate and the Factories and Boilers Department. EMC signed an agreement with the Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries, New Delhi, for collaborative research, capacity building and knowledge exchange in sustainable energy and allied domains.

The teaser for a documentary on V.K. Damodaran, the noted scientist and environmentalist, was released at the event. Dinesh K., Registrar, KUFOS, and EMC joint director A.N. Dinesh Kumar also spoke.