Chennai, 16th December 2025: FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council organized the 15th edition of the TANENERGY SUMMIT 2025 today at Hotel Ramada Plaza, Guindy, Chennai, themed “Green Energy & Green Manufacturing: Driving Tamil Nadu’s One-Trillion-Dollar Growth Vision to deliberate on accelerating Tamil Nadu’s transition to a sustainable, low-carbon, and globally competitive economy.
Considered as one of Tamil Nadu’s most influential annual platforms in the energy sector, TANENERGY SUMMIT brought together senior government officials, policymakers, global experts, industry leaders, innovators, investors, researchers, and technology providers to focus upon advancing discussions around renewable energy, green manufacturing, sustainability, innovation, and policy frameworks, aimed at supporting Tamil Nadu’s ambition to becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy. It provided a strong platform for knowledge sharing, partnerships, and strategic dialogue, reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s position as a leader in green energy and sustainable industrial growth.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr. GSK Velu, Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council and CMD, Trivitron Healthcare / Neuberg Diagnostics Group, thanked all distinguished guests and participants and said” Tamil Nadu has long been a leader in industrial excellence and innovation. As the State moves toward a one-trillion-dollar economy, clean, reliable, and sustainable energy will be its backbone. Green energy ensures uninterrupted power, cleaner air, healthier communities, and lower long-term healthcare costs. Green manufacturing and energy transition are vital for nation-building and human well-being. “He emphasized that while the State leads in renewable energy, growing demand requires focus on energy stability, storage, and a balanced mix including nuclear, AI-driven efficiency, energy storage, and LNG. Nuclear energy provides clean, reliable baseload power and complements renewables, while AI and digital technologies drive efficiency across sectors.
Dr. Velu highlighted the need for collaboration between government, industry, academia, and civil society, and expressed confidence that the summit will yield practical recommendations and long-term partnerships, helping Tamil Nadu emerge as a global leader in green energy and sustainable development.
Mr. M. Nandakumar, Convener – Energy Panel, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council and Managing Director, NANWIN Energy LLP, said that green energy and green manufacturing will shape the next decade of growth. He noted that Tamil Nadu is among the fastest-growing economies in the country, playing a key role in promoting renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing.
While highlighting the State’s leadership in renewable energy and the opportunities it presents, he also pointed to challenges such as tariff structures, geopolitical uncertainties, and climate change, which need to be addressed proactively. Emphasizing that energy drives the economy, he stated that Tamil Nadu’s net-zero vision and efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the manufacturing sector are central to its growth strategy. Mr. Nandakumar further observed that energy efficiency is a key focus area for the State, with renewable energy continuing to be at the forefront. He noted that nuclear energy has emerged as a critical component for ensuring grid stability and long-term sustainability. Stressing the importance of technology adoption, he highlighted the role of AI, data analytics, and digital tools in measuring outcomes and improving efficiency. With the growing presence of AI-driven data centres and ongoing policy reforms, including the opening up of the nuclear sector, he expressed confidence in the sector’s strong growth potential in the years ahead.
Mr. Hans Raj Verma, Director General, COSIDICI, Chairman ITCOT Ltd, said, “The timing of this summit is perfect, coming just after the introduction of the Shanthi Atomic Bill in Parliament, which focuses on the sustainable harnessing and advancement of nuclear energy to transform India and achieve its Net-Zero Vision. Tamil Nadu’s advanced economic and technological growth, along with its contribution to green manufacturing, will play a pivotal role in this journey. The State’s one-trillion-dollar vision is powered by sustainable industrial development, and with the nuclear sector opening up, there are tremendous opportunities for localization of technology, especially for MSMEs, promoting sustainability and global competitiveness. Nuclear energy has far-reaching implications for India’s economy and global manufacturing relevance, enabling zero-carbon products, grid stability, and job creation for youth. India’s vast thorium resources position it to become a global hub for nuclear energy, and collective efforts from all stakeholders can make the economy green while optimally utilizing thorium.”
“Tamil Nadu will play a critical role in driving this transformative vision,” Mr. Verma concluded.
Mr. M. K. Narayanan, Former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, spoke at length on the critical role of nuclear energy in India’s future energy mix, highlighting its importance in energising growth and empowering Tamil Nadu. He observed that discussions on alternative fuels often focus on biofuels, gaseous fossil fuels, and renewable options such as CNG, LNG, biomethane, and electricity, while nuclear energy is rarely given due prominence. Emphasizing the need to correct this imbalance, he stated that nuclear energy will become an increasingly important and acceptable component of the future energy mix, particularly for peaceful civilian purposes.
Mr. Narayanan noted that while challenges remain, nuclear fuel is already a proven alternative, and Russia’s assurance of uninterrupted nuclear fuel supply to India is a significant positive development. He stressed the need to increase the share of nuclear energy in India’s overall energy basket. Highlighting India’s strengths, he pointed to the availability of indigenous thorium resources, the development of modular nuclear reactors, and progress in the fast breeder reactor programme, which is nearing completion. These developments, he said, make a nuclear renaissance possible in the near future, with the potential for almost unlimited expansion of nuclear power.
Concluding his address, Mr. Narayanan stated that India’s civil nuclear programme is a vital national asset with immense potential for power generation. While acknowledging that nuclear security remains a key challenge requiring utmost care, he emphasized that this should not deter India from fully harnessing nuclear energy to its maximum potential.
Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai, President & NMC Chairman, PMA (Padma Bhushan, Former CEO & MD BrahMos Aerospace and CCR&D, DRDO) Dr. Sivathanu Pillai emphasized that sustainability and energy security must remain central to India’s development agenda. He noted that India has built strong technological capabilities over the past decades by achieving food security through space and robotic technologies, while making significant progress in hydrogen and nuclear energy. Referring to recent developments, he highlighted the Atomic Energy Bill, international cooperation including agreements with Russia, and the emergence of small modular reactors. He also spoke about India’s growing leadership in defence, indigenous combat aircraft, missiles, space programmes, and emerging concepts such as hyperplanes. Addressing climate change and the urgent global net-zero goal, he stressed the need to deploy critical technologies such as methane reduction, CO₂-to-methanol conversion, green coal concepts, renewable and ocean energy, thermal energy, and zero-emission power plants, particularly in Tamil Nadu. While technologies are available, he emphasized that effective implementation is key. He also underlined the importance of green hydrogen, despite current cost challenges, and pointed to India’s vast potential in uranium extraction from seawater, thorium-based nuclear energy, and ocean energy, with islands serving as dedicated hubs for energy storage and utilization.
Looking ahead, Dr. Pillai expressed confidence that a balanced mix of renewables, nuclear (uranium and thorium), and advanced technologies, including fusion energy, would shape India’s future, adding that India is expected to have its own fusion nuclear reactors by 2035.
The summit witnessed the participation of around 200 senior delegates representing sectors including renewable energy, utilities, clean technology, manufacturing, mobility, artificial intelligence, ESG, nuclear energy, smart metering, academia, MSMEs, start-ups, and government agencies, along with representatives from global missions and industry associations.
