On Saturday, Chevron, a global leader in energy solutions, revealed plans to invest Rs 8,300 crore to establish its Engineering and Innovation Centre of Excellence (ENGINE) in Bengaluru. The announcement was made during a prominent meeting that included MB Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Dr. Selvakumar S, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Industries, and Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of the Department of Commerce and Industries. Also present were Dr. Akshay Sahni, Country Head of Chevron India, and Kate Callaghan, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at Chevron International Exploration and Production.
Minister MB Patil stated, “Karnataka has been consistently leading the way in promoting economic growth and development. The collaboration between the state government and Chevron company in implementing this Rs8,300 crore investment is a clear indication of the significant progress in engineering and innovation in Karnataka. The state government is committed to promoting innovation, economic growth and job creation.”
Dr Akshay Sahni, Country Head of Chevron India, outlined the company’s vision for the new centre and said, “This centre will provide an opportunity for India’s exceptional talent to work with the resources and expertise of our global network to provide affordable, reliable clean energy.”
The centre will hire 600 engineers by 2025 for engineering and digital services to advance innovations in energy system technology. The state has made remarkable progress in fostering technological development through forward-thinking policies that have created a supportive environment for innovation. The minister highlighted that Bengaluru already hosts over 500 Global Competence Centres (GCCs), representing more than 30% of India’s GCCs across various sectors including finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
The Chevron Centre of Excellence (ENGINE) will generate substantial employment opportunities for local professionals, enabling them to address global energy demands and contribute to the development of clean, low-carbon fuels in the future. Patil noted that the Chevron team will handle complex global operations and energy projects in partnership with international stakeholders.
The establishment of this Centre in Bengaluru aligns with the Karnataka Government’s focus on technology, innovation, and skill development. This investment underscores Karnataka’s significance as a key location for global companies. The minister also emphasised that this initiative reflects the Karnataka government’s steadfast dedication to advancing industry, innovation, and technology within the state.