India’s thermal power sector took a significant step forward today as SEIL Energy India Limited, one of the largest independent producers (IPP) in India, hosted “C&I Connect 2026” – South India’s first-ever dedicated conference on Control, Instrumentation and Automation in thermal power plants. The two-day event, held in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, brought together over 150 delegates from more than 30 power companies and equipment suppliers spanning four southern states – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
At a time when India’s grid is being tested by rapid renewable integration, increasing load volatility, and rising cyber threats, C&I Connect 2026 addressed a gap that the sector has long needed to close: a dedicated, practitioner-focused forum where plant operators and technology suppliers can exchange field-level insights on the digital and automation frontier of thermal power.
Anchored on the theme “Sustainable Solutions through Advanced Instrumentation and Cyber-Resilient Systems in Thermal Power Plants,” the conference featured technical presentations and panel discussions spanning advanced DCS/SCADA and digital control architectures, Industrial IoT and OT cybersecurity, predictive maintenance using AI/ML, Automatic Generation Control (AGC) implementation, flexible plant operations for grid support, and environmental compliance strategies.
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.”
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.”
With participation from Independent Power Producers across South India alongside leading control system and instrumentation vendors, the conference created a live ecosystem of knowledge exchange – bridging the gap between technology available in the market and solutions deployable on the plant floor.
