Nellore, Andhra Pradesh: In a significant milestone for India’s thermal power sector, SEIL Energy India Limited hosted “C&I Connect 2026”, South India’s first dedicated conference focused on Control, Instrumentation and Automation (C&I) in thermal power plants. The two-day conference, held in Nellore, brought together more than 150 delegates representing over 30 power companies and technology suppliers from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
At a time when India’s energy ecosystem is rapidly evolving with increasing renewable energy integration, grid instability concerns, growing load volatility and emerging cybersecurity risks, the conference created a much-needed industry platform for plant operators, automation specialists and technology providers to exchange practical insights and future-ready solutions.
Centered around the theme “Sustainable Solutions through Advanced Instrumentation and Cyber-Resilient Systems in Thermal Power Plants,” the event featured expert-led technical sessions, panel discussions and live knowledge-sharing on key industry priorities including advanced DCS/SCADA architectures, Industrial IoT, Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity, AI and ML-driven predictive maintenance, Automatic Generation Control (AGC), flexible plant operations for grid balancing and environmental compliance strategies.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Mr. K. Srinivasa Rao, Director (Thermal & Projects), APPDCL, said, “C&I Connect 2026 arrives at exactly the right moment. As our plants navigate the twin imperatives of greater operational efficiency and digital resilience, platforms like these — where sector leaders and on-the-ground practitioners speak to each other directly — are not a luxury but a necessity. I commend SEIL Energy for taking the initiative and for bringing this conversation to Nellore.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Janmejaya Mahapatra, CEO, SEIL Energy India Limited, said, “Thermal power will remain the backbone of India’s energy security for decades ahead — but the plants that will endure and lead are those that embrace intelligent systems, robust cyber defences and a culture of continuous innovation. C&I Connect 2026 is our contribution to accelerating that transition. We chose Nellore not merely as a venue, but as a statement — that world-class technical dialogue on critical infrastructure can and should happen beyond the metros, in the heart of where this infrastructure actually operates.”
The conference witnessed participation from major Independent Power Producers (IPPs), plant operators, instrumentation specialists and leading automation technology providers, creating a collaborative ecosystem for addressing real-time operational challenges and bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical plant-floor deployment.
By hosting South India’s first dedicated C&I conference, SEIL Energy India Limited has positioned Nellore as an emerging hub for industrial innovation, technical collaboration and next-generation thermal power transformation in India.