In an interview with Saur Energy, Julian Thomas, Portfolio Director – Energy & Battery Sector, Informa Markets India shed light on the upcoming REI Expo 2026. Excerpts:
Manish Kumar14 Jul 2026 16:43 IST
1. REI Expo has become Asia’s largest renewable energy exhibition. What has driven its growth over the years?
The Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo has evolved into Asia’s premier renewable energy platform by aligning itself closely with India’s clean energy ambitions and the rapid growth of the sector. The 19th edition of the expo, scheduled for October 22-24, 2026, at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, is a reflection of India’s remarkable renewable energy journey.
A key factor behind this growth has been REI’s ability to combine global expertise with deep local market understanding. As part of Informa Markets’ international portfolio, the event has successfully connected Indian stakeholders with global technology providers, investors, and manufacturers.
The expo has also played a significant role in supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative by facilitating partnerships between domestic and international companies, encouraging local manufacturing, promoting technology transfer, and creating employment opportunities.
Another important development has been the integration of energy storage into the event ecosystem. The co-location of REI Expo with The Battery Show India has transformed the platform into a comprehensive showcase covering the entire energy value chain—from generation to storage solutions.
2. Renewables are now a necessity rather than a choice. How will REI 2026 translate this into real business outcomes?
India’s renewable energy targets are ambitious, and the policy environment continues to become increasingly supportive. However, developers, investors, and industry stakeholders often face challenges in navigating subsidies, regulations, compliance requirements, and state-level incentives.
REI 2026 aims to bridge this gap by creating direct engagement between policymakers, regulators, technology providers, financiers, and project developers. The event goes beyond product showcases and focuses on enabling practical business discussions and investment decisions. State associations and government representatives will provide stakeholders with actionable information on land availability, grid connectivity, and policy incentives.
A major highlight of this edition is the strategic partnership between REI Expo and SNEC China, bringing together Asia’s two largest renewable energy exhibitions. This collaboration underscores the growing importance of Asia in shaping the global energy transition and strengthening international cooperation across the renewable energy ecosystem.
Strong international participation, including dedicated country pavilions and global technology suppliers, will further reinforce India’s position as one of the world’s most attractive renewable energy markets.
3. How do you see India’s renewable energy sector evolving over the next five years?
India is expected to accelerate its progress towards achieving its target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Solar and wind will continue to dominate capacity additions, but energy storage is likely to emerge as the next major growth engine.
Battery technologies will play a critical role in addressing intermittency and improving grid stability, making platforms such as The Battery Show India increasingly important for technology partnerships and knowledge exchange.
At the same time, decentralized renewable energy systems are expected to witness strong growth, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions. Bioenergy will gain prominence as India increasingly taps its agricultural residue and waste potential, while offshore wind and electric mobility integration will open new opportunities.
Industry platforms such as REI Expo will continue to play a crucial role by facilitating partnerships, promoting innovation, and bringing together all stakeholders required to accelerate India’s energy transition. Ultimately, such platforms serve as catalysts that transform policy ambitions into on-ground implementation and business growth.
4. Why should industry stakeholders attend REI Expo 2026?
REI Expo 2026 and The Battery Show India will jointly create one of the largest gatherings of renewable energy and energy storage stakeholders in the region. Spread across 18 halls and featuring more than 1,200 brands from India and overseas, the event will provide unmatched opportunities for networking, business development, and technology discovery.
The exhibition will showcase the complete renewable energy ecosystem, including equipment suppliers, technology providers, module manufacturers, inverter companies, battery suppliers, and energy management solution providers.
A major focus area will be energy storage technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, advanced battery management systems, solid-state batteries, flow batteries, recycling solutions, and utility-scale storage applications. These technologies are increasingly becoming essential for enhancing grid reliability and maximizing renewable energy integration.
For policymakers, investors, developers, EPC companies, manufacturers, and technology providers, REI Expo 2026 offers an unparalleled platform to explore emerging opportunities and shape the next phase of India’s clean energy growth.
5. What will be different about REI Expo 2026?
Every edition of REI Expo has raised the bar, but the 2026 edition promises to be its biggest and most comprehensive yet.
The event will feature multiple international country pavilions, a dedicated investment forum, CEO and CTO roundtables, and the Solar Installer Premier League, celebrating excellence in project execution. It will also host a high-level conference featuring more than 500 global speakers and is expected to attract over 60,000 visitors from across the world.
More importantly, REI Expo 2026 will provide a truly integrated platform that brings together renewable energy generation, storage technologies, manufacturing, financing, policy discussions, and investment opportunities under one roof.
As India’s energy transition gathers pace, REI Expo 2026 aims not merely to showcase technologies but to facilitate partnerships, investments, and business outcomes that will help shape the future of the renewable energy sector.
