Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed the Chandigarh Leadership Conclave and 23rd Annual General Meeting organised by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Chandigarh on Sunday, 19 July 2026, laying out the state government's roadmap for investment, industrial development, clean energy, and IT infrastructure.

Context

Speaking at the conclave, Chief Minister Sukhu declared that Himachal Pradesh is among the country's best investment destinations. In Hindi, he stated: 'हिमाचल प्रदेश निवेश की दृष्टि से देश के सर्वोत्तम गंतव्यों में से एक है' ['Himachal Pradesh is one of the best investment destinations in the country from an investment perspective']. He extended a direct invitation to entrepreneurs and investors, committing that the state government would provide every possible facility and support.

TiE Chandigarh is the regional chapter of the global entrepreneurship network that focuses on mentoring and startup ecosystem development across northern India, making it a strategic platform for a state seeking to broaden its industrial base beyond hydropower.

Policy Backdrop

A central announcement at the conclave was the state government's forthcoming new industrial policy, designed to ensure round-the-clock uninterrupted power supply and attract investment by keeping electricity tariffs low. Himachal Pradesh has periodically revised its industrial policy — with earlier versions in 2004 and 2013 — to offer incentives for manufacturing and power-intensive units, and this new iteration is positioned as a significant upgrade.

On the clean energy front, CM Sukhu said the state is moving rapidly to become the country's leading state in green hydrogen production, aligning with the Union government's National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023). He added that biochar plants are being established across the state to promote clean energy, and that a geothermal energy project has already been set up in Kinnaur district.

The Chief Minister also announced a three-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with neighbouring Punjab to ensure consistent electricity supply to that state, describing it as a move that would further strengthen bilateral ties. Additionally, the state government is working on developing data storage infrastructure and an IT park at Kandaghat in Solan district.

Stakeholders and Impact

The announcements are aimed at multiple constituencies: private investors and industrial units looking for reliable power and lower tariffs, renewable energy developers seeking a policy-backed entry into green hydrogen and bio-energy, and Punjab's power consumers who stand to benefit from a formalised supply arrangement. The Kandaghat IT park in Solan is expected to generate employment and anchor technology sector growth in the hill state.

Himachal's strategy mirrors sub-national investment plays seen in states such as Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, which have bundled reliable power supply, competitive tariffs, and green-energy incentives to attract domestic and foreign direct investment in clean technology sectors.

What's Next

The formal notification and detailed incentive structure of the new industrial policy will be a key document to watch, as it will spell out the actual tariff rates and eligibility criteria for investors. Commissioning timelines for the biochar plants and the Kinnaur geothermal project, as well as the finalised terms of the Punjab PPA, will determine whether the conclave's commitments translate into ground-level momentum. Follow-up investment pledges from TiE members and other entrepreneurs present at the conclave will be an early indicator of the pitch's success.