As Assam returned from India Energy Week and readies for Advantage Assam 2.0, the state is looking to add value to gains and opportunities the state saw at IEW in Delhi.
Business North East (BNE) spoke with the Joint Secretary to the government of Assam in the Industries and Commerce Department, Sazzad Alam, about key developments and prospects.
Excerpts of the interview are as under:
BNE: What was your experience representing Assam at the India Energy Week 2025?
Sazzad Alam: India Energy Week is a major event fronted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, along with key stakeholders, to highpoint India’s hydrocarbon and marginal energy areas. Assam, being one of the country’s most notable hydrocarbon powerhouses, has a long inheritance in this sector. The state witnessed some of the earliest detections of oil and natural gas, including the world’s second-oldest plant.
Over the years, increased asset has been vital for sustained sectoral growth. This event provided an excellent platform to platform Assam’s potential, not just domestically but on a global scale. We contributed in the 2023 edition and returned this year with a more comprehensive method.
Our plan was unique. Along with the Assam government, we brought all our state PSUs from the oil and gas sector. Moreover, we cooperated with central PSUs where Assam has some stake. We had around 8-9 companies across sub-sectors, exhibiting under the Assam Pavilion. This pavilion highlighted Assam’s energy sector, showcasing investment opportunities. Also, we actively promoted Advantage Assam 2.0, scheduled for February 25-26, 2025, in Guwahati, inviting investors to explore opportunities in Assam’s hydrocarbon energy sector. A committed session on Assam at the event further highlighted why the state is a prime venture target in petroleum and natural gas.
BNE: What important decisions were taken during India Energy Week 2025 for Assam’s energy industry?
Sazzad Alam: Instead of specific decisions, I would say that important doings were undertaken. The Assam Pavilion involved many direct and indirect stakeholders—equipment suppliers for pipelines, drilling, and other aspects of the energy industry.
Key energy players and marginal industries expressed keen interest in Assam. We engaged with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and other oil sector stakeholders, encouraging them to invest in Assam. Our goal was clear: to attract investments in manufacturing equipment and supplies directly in Assam, dipping transport costs and safeguarding a ready market. We achieved substantial success in this regard.
BNE: As Assam gears up for Advantage Assam 2.0, what are the preparations?
Sazzad Alam: Advantage Assam 2.0 will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. The event will feature two major sessions, an exhibition, and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for investment initiatives. One of the sessions will focus on Petroleum and Natural Gas, covering key growths in the hydrocarbon energy sector.
The session will include a keynote address followed by a panel conversation addressing numerous industry concerns and investor queries. Major oil players like Oil India Limited and Indian Oil Corporation Limited will have display spaces showcasing Assam’s energy sector. We suppose several MoUs to be signed, not only with public sector companies but also with private objects in exploration, equipment supply, and distribution.
BNE: What is the revenue generation of this sector? Do you think it should advance?
Sazzad Alam: Revenue generation in this sector has multiple facets. Increased venture in extraction sites and refinery expansion will increase revenues. Oil and natural gas production contributes significantly through royalties paid to the Assam government. Moreover, downstream industries producing petrochemical products contribute to revenue via VAT and GST.
Apart from tangible revenue, there is substantial intangible revenue. The segment generates direct and indirect employment, from truckers and tankers to ancillary services, further stimulating Assam’s economy. The growth of the energy sector will continue to improve revenue streams and economic development.
BNE: What are the ongoing projects in Assam’s energy sector?
Sazzad Alam: Assam has two major sedimentary basins—Upper Assam Basin and the Assam-Arakan Belt. While the Upper Assam Basin has been a hub of oil and gas extraction since the 18th century, the Assam-Arakan Belt remains largely unexplored, with around 90 percent of its capitals yet to be discovered.
The Baghjan incident exposed substantial natural gas reserves beneath impermeable rock layers, prompting extensive exploration efforts. Major companies like Oil India Limited, ONGC, and new entrants like Vedanta and OilMax Energy are investing heavily in production expansion. These investments will harvest important returns.
Additionally, Assam’s petrochemical industry is thriving. Assam Petrochemicals Limited produces methanol and formaldehyde, while Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) manufactures polymers. These industries have important downstream potential, creating more investment opportunities in the petrochemical subdivision.
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BNE: With increasing emphasis on renewable energy, how is Assam’s hydrocarbon sector adapting?
Sazzad Alam: Renewable energy, previously known as non-conventional energy, is developing rapidly. Natural gas itself is a relatively clean fuel, with methane having a lower carbon footprint. Green hydrogen, extracted from natural gas, is also gaining fame.
One developing trend is coal gasification, which converts coal into cleaner natural gas. Another significant growth is the blending of bio-ethanol with petrol and bio-diesel with diesel, gradually increasing in percentage. Compressed bio-gas (CBG), produced from bio-waste, cow dung, and Napier grass, can be treated into natural gas and combined into existing gas grids.
Both the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Assam government are dedicated to expanding green fuel initiatives. Even Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL) is setting up a large solar plant in Upper Assam, marking an significant step toward clean energy recognition.
Assam’s participation in India Energy Week 2025 underscores its planned importance in India’s energy scenery. With robust asset prospects, expanding projects, and a focus on clean energy, Assam is poised to reinforce its position as a key energy hub. As Advantage Assam 2.0 approaches, the state looks forward to fostering partnerships and driving economic growth through its lively energy sector.
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