Indian global capacity centres to drive next-gen solutions in energy ecosystem: KPMG

Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India will leverage the country’s strengths in artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and engineering to evolve into strategic command centres, driving next-generation solutions in the energy ecosystem, according to a report released by KPMG on Tuesday.

India’s deep digital talent pool, advanced analytics capabilities, and cost-efficient scalability will add to the advantage of GCCs as they continue to focus on innovation, especially in the energy sector, it adds.

The report titled “From Cost Centre to Nerve Centre of the Energy Enterprise: Global Capability Centres (GCCs)”, released by Petroleum & Natural Gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri at KPMG in India’s flagship Energy and Resources Conclave ENRich 2025 observed that the energy sector as a whole stands at a pivotal juncture, as electrification, decentralisation, and digitalisation reshape operations, customer expectations, and business models.

“The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation. Traditional operating models are no longer sufficient, and customer expectations are evolving rapidly. GCCs are emerging as the nerve centres of energy enterprises—combining AI, analytics, and talent to drive operational excellence and innovation. Organisations that embrace this shift can convert cost into capability and deliver truly customer-centric energy solutions,” said Anish De, Global Sector Head, Energy Natural Resources & Chemicals (ENRC), KPMG International.

Highlighting India’s advantage, the report stated that the country hosts approximately 1,700 GCCs (as of 2024) and is projected to have 2,400 GCCs employing over 2.8 million people by 2030.

Over 50% of India’s GCCs have evolved into portfolio and transformation hubs in FY24, up from 18% in FY13, it said.

The report also stated that over the past two years, India has seen approximately 45 new mid-market GCCs, accounting for nearly 35 per cent of the total GCC setup nationwide. Digital technology adoption in the GCCs also surged, with AI/ML and data science adoption rising from 65% in FY19 to 86% in FY24, and cybersecurity adoption increasing from 55% to 88%, it said.

“Global Capability Centres are transcending their transactional origins to become strategic engines of transformation. With advanced AI, integrated digital platforms, and specialised talent, GCCs empower energy companies to innovate at scale and respond swiftly to market shifts. By 2030, GCCs will orchestrate intelligence, efficiency, and resilience across the entire energy value chain”, Shalini Pillay, India Leader- Global Capability Centres, KPMG in India said.

According to the report, GCCs are evolving from traditional cost-saving support functions into strategic hubs that drive innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity. “Powered by AI, advanced analytics, high-performance computing, and frontier technologies such as quantum computing, GCCs are enabling intelligent operations, predictive maintenance, scenario-driven decision-making, and seamless integration across upstream and downstream energy operations. These centres help organisations enhance cost efficiency while scaling capabilities—delivering both operational optimisation and innovation”, the report said.

By 2030, GCCs are expected to serve as command centres for intelligence and execution, linking upstream exploration to downstream distribution. They will drive predictive maintenance, real-time optimisation, and rapid experimentation in frontier technologies like green hydrogen and carbon capture. Companies that embrace this shift will unlock scalable capabilities, seamless customer experiences, and accelerated innovation, the report said.