The India Energy Hour: Recent Episodes
101Reporters
The India Energy Hour podcast features in-depth conversations with leading energy, development and climate experts from academia, civil society, and the government. Through these interviews, we explore Indian energy transitions’ most pressing hurdles and promising opportunities. We look at the role that government, financial markets, social movements, and science plays in transition. Over time, we will examine energy issues in other Global South countries as well. The podcast is co-hosted by Shreya Jai, a leading energy and climate change reporter, and Sandeep Pai, an energy transitions researcher, and author. The show is produced by Tejas Dayananda Sagar, a multimedia journalist with 101Reporters.
Every year, between May to September, the same images make the rounds. The national capital first sweats and then drowns with even a few millimetres of rain. The city that never sleeps braces water logging every year without fail. The silicon valley of India while facing traffic snarls the whole year dreads the monsoon months which make it worse.
Why is it that India's megacities crumble under the slightest variation in weather? Why are our national, financial capitals and metro cities not built to adapt to extreme weather conditions? Is it myopic city planning or unprecedented events?
As climate change related impacts intensify, cities have to prepare a long term plan to adapt to changing climatic conditions.
To discuss the same, we talked with Jaya Dhindaw, Executive Program Director, Sustainable Cities and Director, WRI India Ross Center.
Jaya is an urban development professional and researcher with over two decades of global experience in sustainable development, urban resilience and natural resource management.
Jaya has in the past worked for the Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transport and Urban Planning (CISTUP) at the Indian Institute of Science. She has also worked with the City of Charlotte for over 8 years, first with the transit system and then with the planning department.
Full transcript of the episode is available inEnglish
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This summer was all about breaking records - from temperature to electricity demand. India clocked the highest ever electricity demand of 260 Gw during the summer months, thanks to sweltering heat in all parts of the country.
But is it just the heat? Has the electricity usage behavior changed in the country? Are ACs shaping our power demand? Are the demand drivers shifting from commercial to domestic segment?
Is the electricity supply landscape prepared for extreme weather events impacting both the infrastructure and the supply planning?
To take a micro look at India's electricity demand supply system, we talked with Rajiv Goyal. Goyal has served in various positions across power distribution companies. He is credited with the successful setting up of the Noida Power Company Ltd. He is considered an expert in power distribution planning, smart metering, and power sector regulations among other things. He is currently CEO and whole time director at EKI Power Trading.
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Energy security remains a top priority for India as it seeks to balance growth with sustainability. A critical question emerges: Can India ensure energy security while also phasing down inefficient and uneconomical coal power plants? This issue involves not only understanding the current landscape of power production but also strategizing the retirement of outdated plants.In this insightful episode, we engage with Dr. Joshua Busby and Deepshikha Arora from the University of Texas at Austin, who explore these complex dynamics in their upcoming paper. They delve into the political economy challenges of retiring coal plants in India, discussing both the local policy frameworks and the international support mechanisms that can aid India's decision-making process.Full transcript of the episode is available in English
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Can political leaders be taken to court over climate change impacts? Can the Indian Constitution recognize climate change under the right to live? A recent Supreme Court hearing explored these questions, sparking a national debate. The case ruled against the livelihood rights of an endangered bird, but what could laws against extreme weather and climate change mean for us?
Join us as we discuss this with Shibani Ghosh, Advocate on Record Supreme Court of India and a visiting fellow at the Sustainable Futures Collaborative, a New Delhi-based research organisation, as she shares her outlook on citizen-driven climate actions and the vital role of the National Green Tribunal. Could this be the beginning of a strong climate law for India?
Learn how this big decision could change India's legal system, support climate action, and lead to future climate laws. Full transcript of the episode is available in English
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Nearly 2.8 billion people around the world depend on solid fuels such as firewood and biomass for their cooking needs. Majority of such people reside in African and Asian countries including in India.
India has made significant progress in enhancing access to modern fuels through policies that support greater use of LPG cylinders. However, several issues still remain.
To understand the Indian clean cooking challenge and the required interventions, we interviewed Abhishek Kar, Senior Programme Lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water. Abhishek have led numerous studies on energy access in India and in other countries, and is a known expert in this area.
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Imagine a future where every rooftop is a mini power station, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment. This isn't just a dream—it's the potential of decentralized renewable energy projects. From innovative micrgrids to efficient rooftop solar panels, these solutions are revolutionizing the way we power our lives.
To know more, We sat with Dr. Debajit Palit; He has a PhD in Energy Policy and an MSc in Physics. He is currently a professor at the NTPC School of Business. He has dabbled in the roles of professor, author, and researcher.
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India has ambitions to install 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. Achieving this target would require large scale finance, sound policies and much more.
To understand how India can achieve its renewable energy targets, we interviewed Vibhuti Garg, Director of South Asia at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Vibhuti is an expert on energy pricing, adoption of new technologies, subsidy reforms, enhancing clean energy access and more.
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Season 4 of The India Energy Hour Podcast is here.
To kickstart the season, the hosts are here to give a primer on what all to expect in India's journey towards energy transition.
It is the year of general elections in India. A lot of policies and political decisions hinge on that.
But there is other exciting stuff too. From India's maiden critical mineral auction to more engagement on just transition, this could be the year India walks the talk on energy transition.
Tune in to get a 360 degree view of India's energy and climate action landscape as we step into the new year.
Full transcript of the episode is available inEnglish
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This year’s Conference of Parties (COP28), hosted in the oil-rich UAE, was full of ironies. There were apprehensions over the host, which has oil wells in its backyard. The COP28 President was the CEO of the national oil company. It was expected that at least the rich nations would drive more climate finance.
But the negotiations that unfolded over the 12 days and the outcome caught many by surprise. The COP final text, for the first time, mentioned a transition away from fossil fuels. The decision was lauded, but the fine print is not that promising. There was no major uptick in climate finance; adaptation goals were left untouched, and the language towards the oil and gas sector was lopsided.
To unfold the facets of the negotiations at COP28 and their impact on global climate dialogue and global warming, we talked with Jacob Koshy. Koshy is Deputy Science Editor at The Hindu and has been writing on science and technology for more than a decade. An engineer-tuned journalist, he has worked in some of the leading news dailies in India and is known for incisive reporting and comprehensive writing.
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India’s energy transition is central to global climate action. But where does India’s energy transition stand? What are the key challenges and opportunities in areas such as energy access, clean transportation and critical minerals.
To understand the intricate dynamics of India's energy transition journey, we interviewed Aditya Ramji, Director of the India Zero Emission Vehicle Research Centre at the Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis. Aditya is a leading expert in areas of clean transportation, energy systems, and electric mobility.
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India's energy transition currently comprises a set of ambitious targets, the pathway for which is yet to be designed.
While at the Central level, there are a variety of policies, the real challenge lies in their execution. And at the execution level there are at least 28 different clogs to be taken care of.
States will need to play a larger role if India has to effectively meet its energy transition goals while being in sync with economic growth. Coal rich states face the challenge of transitioning away from an existing socio-economic framework built over fossil fuels. Non coal ones need to plan for a greener future. And both sets need to have an economic adaptation plan in place for future climate risks.
To unfold this complexity of India's energy transition, we talked with Ann Josey, Fellow at Prayas, and Rohit Chandra, Assistant Professor at IIT Delhi.
Both Ann and Rohit study different aspects of Indian policymaking with focus on the energy sector and government institutions - both at the Central and State level.
Suggested Readings:
- https://nipfp.org.in//media/medialibrary/2023/10/WP_402_2023.pdf
- https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/indigrid-awarded-its-first-battery-energy-storage-system-project-11597181.html
- http://www.prayaspune.org/peg/publications/item/377
- https://energy.prayaspune.org/our-work/research-report/estimating-impact-of-renewable-energy-wheeling-and-banking-arrangement-on-karnataka-escoms
- https://energy.prayaspune.org/power-perspectives/virtual-net-metering-for-public-bodies-an-innovative-solution-for-improving-payment-discipline
Full transcript of the episode is available in English and Hindi
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Guests: Ann Josey, Fellow at Prayas, and Rohit Chandra, Assistant Professor at IIT Delhi
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Energy efficiency in India has become an important focus due to the country's growing energy demands, environmental concerns, and the need to reduce energy costs. Several initiatives and policies have been put in place to enhance energy efficiency across various sectors in India.
In this episode, we interviewed Saurabh Kumar, India Head of Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), who had a remarkable career in the energy efficiency space. He has previously worked with Energy Efficiency Services Limited as Executive Vice Chairperson and was appointed as Secretary of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). He delves into the role of energy efficiency in India's energy transition and the future of sustainable solutions.
Full transcript of the episode is available in English and Hindi
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Climate tech is one of the emerging areas in the technology landscape offering a variety of new-age solutions for adapting to changing climate. Largely unexplored, climate tech has the potential to empower even the grassroot sectors with the ability to forecast and adapt to extreme weather and unprecedented climatic events.
In this unique episode, we talked with Himanshu Gupta, the co-founder of Climate AI, who explained the various facets of climate tech, the emerging AI tools, and how he is deploying it in the sectors he operates. From agri to commodity supply chain, Gupta talked about the various tech solutions that AI can offer for safeguarding against climate risks.
Full transcript of the episode is available in English and Hindi
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How many trillions would be required to reach zero? Are global dialogues enough to rake up funds? As countries race to meet their net carbon zero targets, it is the technological solutions and entrepreneurial ventures which could make it a reality. Capitalism has always been the antithesis of climate action. But what happens when you marry them both?
To explore this, we talked with Akshat Rathi, Senior Reporter for Climate at Bloomberg News and host of their climate-solutions podcast Zero. He touches upon various aspects of climate and science reporting, entrepreneurship in the green energy sectors and his experience as a roving climate writer. With his first book Climate Capitalism coming out soon, Akshat also delves into the challenges and opportunities he had in researching and travelling for it.
Akshat with an academic background in Organic Chemistry switched to science journalism. He earlier reported for Quartz in India before moving to the UK to be part of the Bloomberg News team.
Full transcript of the episode is available in English & Hindi
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As the G20 host, India deftly managed geopolitics, especially Russia-Ukraine, while driving energy and climate discussions. Topics like renewable energy, critical minerals, and sustainable finance took center stage, likely impacting the upcoming COP summit. India's challenge is finding unity among diverse priorities, addressing resource nationalism, and aligning nations in various green energy stages. The G20 Leaders' Summit underscores the quest for consensus on issues like fossil fuel abatement amidst complex political landscapes.
To understand what the key themes of energy and climate are in the G20, what the sticking points are, and how they will shape the global dialogue on energy transition, we interviewed Swati D'Souza, India Lead Analyst and Coordinator at International Energy Agency (IEA), who provides insights into India's efforts and the key points of discussion during the G20 summit.
Full transcript of the episode is available in English and HindiPresented by 101Reporters
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India's G20 presidency started amidst major geopolitical events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These events reshaped energy markets and climate policies globally. As energy security considerations took center stage, countries started re-evaluating climate and energy policies. Most countries started looking inward, pushing for policies that secure energy security for them instead of building a global consensus on climate action.
To understand how India is navigating the G20 presidency amidst geopolitical realignments and what the key challenges and opportunities are for building a global consensus on energy and climate policy, we interviewed Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, founder and CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water, one of the leading think tanks in India. Dr. Ghosh is an internationally recognized climate and energy policy expert, author, columnist, and institution builder.
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India has taken over the presidency of G20 at a time when the conventional geopolitics around key sectors is witnessing a shift - be it fossil fuels, climate, financing and several others.
While it has provided the country an opportunity to lay a ground for a stronger voice of the Global South in energy transition and climate action, the ongoing turmoil between various nations is set to impact the outcome of the deliberations.
To understand what are the key themes of energy and climate in G20, what are the sticking points and how it will shape the global dialogue on energy transition, we talked with Sudarshan Varadhan, Asia Energy Correspondent at Thomson Reuters.
Sudarshan has been reporting on the dynamic energy sector for close to a decade, earlier placed in New Delhi and now from Singapore. He has done incisive reporting on the evolving energy landscape in Asia, highlighting the challenges of energy access, climate impact and mapping global trends in fossil fuel and clean energy sectors.
Full transcript of the episode is available in English and Hindi language
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In this episode, Vivek Subramanian - Co-founder and Executive Director of Fourth Partner Energy discusses the market dynamics and trends in the decentralised green energy industry. He shares his entrepreneurial journey and the growth of his company. He emphasized on long-term contracts in the decentralised space especially with commercial and industrial consumers. He said the increasing desire of end consumers to control their energy mix and the price of power will drive the sector further.
Full transcript of the episode is available in English and Hindi language.
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In India, the coal based electricity dominates the power sector. But the country has set ambitious renewable power targets. This will bring about many techno-economic and socio-political changes. For example, Indian state owned enterprises in the power sector may have to redefine themselves, and there will be a need for new financial mechanisms and policy design for providing renewable energy a boost.
To understand the state of play in the power sector, we interviewed Abhinav Jindal, senior researcher and energy economist, who has over two decades of experience working in the power sector. Abhinav is one of the most balanced voices on the subject of energy security and electricity transition.
Full transcript of the episode is available in English and Hindi language.
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India's green energy landscape has witnessed remarkable growth and transformation in recent years, positioning the country as a global leader in the clean energy transition. With a growing population, rapid urbanization, and rising energy demands, India recognized the need to diversify its energy sources and reduce its heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
In order to understand the changing landscape of the green energy sector and the country’s ambitious energy transition goals, we interviewed Mr. Srivatsan Iyer, Global CEO of Hero Future Energies. He has held executive roles in ExxonMobil, Braskem and McKinsey & Company, and have successfully expanded their business to other countries.
Full transcript of the episode is available here Suggested Reading:
- Decarbonising India - Charting a pathway for sustainable growth
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In recent years, heatwaves in India have become more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. This increase can be attributed to the larger problem of global warming and climate change. Rising greenhouse gas emissions have led to a rise in average global temperatures, which directly contribute to the occurrence and severity of heatwaves.
In order to understand the importance of Heat Action Plans and implications of extreme weather, we spoke to Aditya Valiathan Pillai, a fellow with the Initiative for Climate, Energy and Environment (ICEE) at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR). His current work focuses on strengthening policies to combat extreme heat.
Full transcript of the episode is available here
Suggested Reading:
- How Is India Adapting to Heatwaves?: An Assessment of Heat Action Plans With Insights for Transformative Climate Action
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For years, multiple Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have relied on integrated assessment models or IAM modelling pathways to achieve global net zero targets.
The IPCC reports and IAM pathways have become key drivers of government policy on keeping a lid on global warming in many countries.
However, scholars from Global South have argued that IAMs have failed to incorporate the principles of equity and rights of developing countries while charting decarbonisation pathways. For instance, questions have been raised about how it is fair to ask both the U.S. and India to achieve a net zero by 2050, given U.S. massive historical emissions.
To discuss the issue of lack of equity in net zero pathways, and ways for designing equitable models for climate action, we interviewed Dr. Tejal Kanitkar, Associate Professor at National Institute of Advanced Studies, and Dr. Rahul Tongia, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress. Both Tejal and Rahul are India’s leading scholars and thinkers on climate and energy policy and have decades of experience working in this area.
Full transcript of the episode is available here
Suggested Readings:
- IPCC’S climate reports reveal an unequal science: https://carboncopy.info/ipccs-climate-reports-reveal-an-unequal-science/
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Climate financing in India is crucial for achieving sustainable development and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The government’s efforts to mobilize climate finance, along with support from international institutions are essential for achieving these goals.
In order to understand the complexities and challenges of financing climate change initiatives in India, including the role of government, private sector, and international institutions, we interviewed Varad Pande, Climate Finance and Investment Expert. Varad has held diverse roles across government, strategy, multilateral, investment organisations working on issues of economic development, social impact, and base-of-pyramid (BOP) business models.
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Climate philanthropy globally and in India are starting to play a catalytic role for enabling climate action. They are starting to bet on innovative ideas and projects that enable decarbonisation of key sectors, foster solutions that benefit communities and economies, and bridge the gap between philanthropy and commercial investment.
To understand more about how climate philanthropy works, the different funding models and the main challenges of funding climate projects, we interviewed Vikas Mehta, Executive Director of SED Fund, a venture philanthropy providing funding to organizations in India across their life cycle and continuing to support them in their growth and scale-up journey. Vikas has decades of experience in philanthropy, strategic planning, fundraising, and portfolio management.
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Under ‘Move for Earth’ initiative, co-founder of SwitchON Foundation Vinay Jaju cycled over 3,000 km across different states in East India, connecting with farmers, women and youth to address clean air, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.
Vinay Jaju is also the co-founder of ONergy and ONskills. He has collaborated with various ministries of Government of India and bilateral organizations such as US Embassy, United Nations Development Programme, General Electric and World Wildlife Fund. He is currently the Managing Director of SwitchON Foundation and looks after the daily operations of the organization.
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To meet global climate targets, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind will need to be deployed at scale. This will mean large-scale mining and processing of critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, which form key components of the solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles required for the energy transition.
To understand the role of critical minerals in energy transition, including whether the world has enough of these minerals, we spoke to Dr. Seaver Wang, Co-Director of the Climate and Energy team at the United States-based Breakthrough Institute. Dr. Wang writes on critical minerals and recently published a paper titled “Future demand for electricity generation materials under different climate mitigation scenarios,” which unpacks the feasibility of using critical minerals at scale to meet climate goals.
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India's wind energy sector has never had a breezy year for close to a decade now. An early mover in the green energy space, wind energy players relied on tax benefits for initial growth. But as incentives and subsidies faded, so did the fortunes.
Recently, in another major policy shift, the bidding regime for the wind sector would undergo significant changes.
To talk about the past, present and future of the wind energy sector, we spoke with Mr. D V Giri. He is the secretary general of Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA), the industry lobby body for wind turbine makers. Giri has held senior executive positions in several sectors including foreign wind energy majors. He has been associated with Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association since its inception.
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This year marks the starting line for India’s energy transition plan, in line with its Net Zero ambitions. The country has made a range of ambitious announcements starting from renewable energy addition to assertive stand on global climate platforms. Challenges of balancing energy needs versus climate commitments aside; India’s energy transition would need to also balance economic needs versus social obligations.
We talked with Ulka Kelkar, Director, Climate program, World Resources Institute India to assess the climate action plan of India and what lies ahead. An economist by training, Kelkar has a rich experience in climate change research where her work has ranged from field studies in rural areas to designing state action plans. She is one of India’s most respected voices on low-carbon and climate-resilient economic planning.
Reading Suggestions:
https://www.wri.org/research/pathways-decarbonizing-indias-energy-future-scenario-analysis-using-india-energy-policy
https://www.wri.org/research/sustainable-development-impacts-renewable-power-insights-three-indian-states
https://www.wri.org/just-transitions/snapshots
Full transcript of the episode is available here
Rukhmabai Initiatives 2023 - Are you a woman journalist, writer or student who loves to amplify the voices of striking women who have compelling insights into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and hold a unique place in the field, the Rukhmabai Team is looking for you!
Rukhmabai Initiatives was launched in 2020, in honor of one of India’s first practicing female doctors. This year, we will be providing three grants of Rs 40,000 each.
Each grantee will produce three stories – two profiles and one feature story – aligned with the objective of Rukhmabai Initiatives; to inspire and inform.
The link to the applications is in the show notes and the last date of submission is 31st January 2023
Apply Now!
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A major part of India's energy transition would come from the power sector but for the broader goal of decarbonization, energy-intensive industries need to plan a green future. The steel industry which forms the backbone of the country's infrastructure growth is the foremost industry to plan a transition.
The sector which relies on metal mining, drives bulk electricity demand and employment generation across its supply chain. This makes it imperative for it to lead to industrial decarbonization in the country.
To understand the shift undergoing the steel sector, we spoke with Manish Mishra. A seasoned steel sector executive, Mishra has held various roles at a variety of locations in Tata Steel, one of India's leading steel producers. Mishra is currently Chief Corporate Affairs with the company in New Delhi.
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India has set a net zero target by 2070. If this target is to be achieved, India will have to reduce its reliance on coal. However, decreasing coal production and use is complex as it will impact millions of workers, communities and coal-dependent states. In order to mitigate the impact on workers and communities in coal-dependent states, the states will have to enable a just energy transition and the planning will need to start from now.
Jharkhand, India’s most coal-dependent state has acknowledged the enormous just transition challenge and has taken a bold initiative by creating a new task force on just transition. The work and success of this task force has the potential to inspire other coal-dependent states to follow suit.
To get a ringside understanding of this just transition in Jharkhand we interviewed Mr. Ajay Kumar Rastogi, Chairman of Jharkhand’s Sustainable Just Transition Taskforce. Mr. Rastogi recently retired as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests after serving for over three decades in key ministries of Forest and Climate Change, Land and Revenue in Jharkhand and Bihar.
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India's energy transition stands at the crossroads of meeting the nation's rising energy demand and pressure at the global front to reduce emissions. Having now committed to a low carbon development plan and a net zero target year, all eyes are on India to declare the expiry date of coal.
To get a ringside understanding of this complex issue, we invited Dr. Anil Kumar Jain. He has held senior positions at key ministries of petroleum, environment, NITI Aayog, and the erstwhile Planning Commission. He recently retired as the secretary, ministry of coal where he initiated a division and dialogue on just transition in the country's coal sector.
Jain has also authored two books on India's natural gas sector and holds a Ph.D. on the same. He has served as a bureaucrat for 3 decades.
Books by Anil Kumar Jain:
- Natural Gas in India: Challenges and Opportunities - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60789642-natural-gas-in-india\
- Natural Gas in India: Liberalisation and Policy - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13689725-natural-gas-in-india
Full transcript of the episode is available here
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Our host, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin
Podcast Producer, Tejas Dayananda Sagar on Twitter and Linkedin
The upcoming COP27 is expected to set the tone for developing economies to strengthen their climate-focused demands from the developed world. Adaptation solutions, loss and damage funds, and enhanced climate financing are likely to be the focus areas. Though the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine war and impending recession might impact negotiations, it is no doubt that climate-related challenges faced by the African nations will be under the spotlight.
To discuss the issues and challenges faced by the developing countries and how Africa can negotiate a deal at COP27 that benefits the continent, we talked with James Irungu Mwangi, Executive Director, Dalberg Group in Kenya. James Mwangi is a sustainable development and inclusive growth expert with a career spanning more than two decades in public policy, energy and strategic planning.
Full transcript of the episode is available here
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For any meaningful climate action in India, the 28 Indian states and 8 union territories will have to play a crucial role. They have to maintain nodes of implementation of climate plans. But are the states ready to embrace the national and international ambitions of climate action? Could pushing central targets lead to more tussle between centre and states? Would states have the governance structures and stakeholder capacity for transforming their energy economies?
To understand the role of states in the Indian energy transition, we interviewed Dr. Kartikeya Singh, Director of the Global Energy Futures Initiative at the Climate Imperative Foundation. Dr. Singh has worked for decades fostering energy transition and climate action in Indian states along with helping these states build global partnerships.
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If India wants to achieve its net zero goal by 2070, energy storage technologies will have to play a crucial role. From battery to pump storage, several different technologies are now commercially available in 5 countries and several others are at the R&D stage. They would all need to be deployed at a scale several magnitudes higher than today as India embarks on the path of the energy transition.
And this would require policy push, financial backing and reconciling with socio-economic issues.
To understand the landscape of energy storage technologies and their future in India, we interviewed Dr. Rahul Walawalkar, President and Managing Director of Customized Energy Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. Rahul is also the founder and Executive Director for India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). Rahul is considered India’s foremost expert on energy storage, energy management, smart grid deployment and much more.
Full transcript of the episode is available here
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Rahul Walawalkar is on Twitter and Linkedin
Our host, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin
Podcast Producer, Tejas Dayananda Sagar on Twitter and Linkedin
As COP27 inches closer, the promises and commitments made during the last global climate conference are under scrutiny. India which was the biggest surprise, thanks to its Net Zero target year announcement has been under the scanner for laying out its climate plans.
The Union Cabinet recently approved India's Nationally Determined Contributions which though exhaustive, is still falling short on several fronts - major being climate adaptation. While mitigation measures are being given due importance, specific targets are yet to be drafted.
In order for India, among other large economies, to step up its mitigation and adaptation efforts, it needs to raise ambition domestically, bringing policy coherence across the central and state governments, and ensuring access to finance from rich countries. To understand how India should prioritize its mitigation and adaptation efforts, we interviewed Harjeet Singh, Senior Adviser at Climate Action Network. Harjeet is a global expert on the issues of climate impacts, migration and adaptation and has spent two decades working in development sectors.
Full transcript of the episode is available here
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Podcast Producer, Tejas Dayananda Sagar on Twitter and Linkedin
Talking about climate change, especially in the developing world, is no longer a topic of so-called "academic interest". There are now multitudes of issues involved, countless lobbies on both sides of the debate and largely uninformed public. Climate communication in such a scenario becomes pertinent and as important as the climate issues themselves. But climate comms, especially in the West have been long alleged for whitewashing facts and greenwashing any and every step that the Global North took to tackle climate change. In the middle of this, Aarti Khosla launched what can be said to be India's first dedicated climate communication platform Climate Trends. Khosla has been in the communication sector for her whole career and has been associated with leading NGOs, climate groups etc. Khosla is also Director, CarbonCopy, a dedicated platform for climate-related news.
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India recently enforced a ban on single-use plastic items across the country. This move will have a ripple effect across several industries, including FMCG. Experts, however, view this as a bold step towards waste management in the country. Of this, an impeding concern is over renewable energy waste.
Solar wastes are generated by discarded solar panels. India is planning to meet its 500 GW target of renewable energy by 2030. Estimates reveal solar industry alone could generate over 34,600 tonnes of cumulative waste by 2030.
Bharati Chaturvedi, Founder and Director of Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group, talks about how India is managing its waste currently, with a focus on solar waste. She goes on to share what can be done to tackle this growing quantum of energy and industrial waste. A cross-cutting environmental and public policy expert, Bharati works closely with government agencies to improve waste governance in India.
India's renewable energy sector is facing an unusual dilemma - on one side are the ambitious targets set out by the government and on the other are problems and issues that come with rampant growth and increase in size of the industry.
One such issue is the GIB or Great Indian Bustard case in Rajasthan and Gujarat where 20 GW of solar and wind power projects face an uncertain future. Planned in the breeding areas of GIB, an endangered bird, green energy and ecology are in direct conflict.
Subrahmanyam Pulipaka is leading the fight from the end of the industry. He is CEO of National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), a non profit, non government representative body of the solar sector in the country. Having dabbled both research and project development career paths, Subrahmanyam is looking at ways and means for both energy and ecology to co-exist.
Timestamp: 0:00 - Podcast intro
1:56 - About Subrahmanyam Pulipaka and what it is to be in policy advocacy.
14:19 - Land and ecology issues being faced by the renewable energy sector.
18:57 - Genesis of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) controversy and the repercussions.
28:19 - Importance of the GIB native land in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
34:44 - Cost implications due to the GIB matter.
36:58 - Need of Environmental Impact Assessment for green energy projects.
43:33 - Bearing the additional cost for saving the ecology - how receptive is the industry and locals?
48:34 - Where is the land then for 500 GW dream target?
57:30 - How do the investors look at these problems?
1:02:47 - Key policy changes required to change the face of this sector.
1:09:22 - Podcast outro
As it has been happening for years now, coal and power crisis has gripped India yet again. Severe heatwaves caused due to climate crisis coupled with mismatch in coal demand and supply, led to a nationwide power crisis.
Electricity distribution utilities are resorting to power cuts, Centre is pushing imported coal and ministries of coal and railways are at loggerheads.
To guide us through this maze of crisis, our host Dr. Sandeep Pai spoke with two journalists with their ears on the ground. Sarita C Singh, a seasoned energy journalist and an expert on fossil fuels and energy policies...along with our co-host Shreya Jai, senior energy and climate journalist.
Timestamp: 0:00 - Podcast intro
2:42 - What is the genesis of the coal/power crisis?
8:15 - Why there is always a knee jerk reaction to this?
13:44 - Govt pushes states, gencos to import coal. How feasible it is?
17:24 - Did gas or renewables play a role in this crisis?
21:21 - Do you think there is a plan B for gas?
23:44 - How can renewable play a role in averting such crisis in the future?
26:47 - How can discoms find a way to make payments?
35:44 - How does coal crisis impact India's climate mitigation plan? Can coal be retired at all?
45:29 - Shouldn’t India be more aggressive on decentralised renewable system?
50:00 - How do we ensure that this crisis doesn’t happen again next year?
54:46 - Podcast outro
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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) working group III recently released a report on climate change mitigation. It assessed methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and provided many policy solutions for how countries can contain the climate crisis.
To understand what this new IPCC report says, we interviewed Professor Navroz Dubash of the Center for Policy Research and Professor Harald Winkler of the University of Cape Town. Both Navroz and Harald are contributing lead authors of the report and have decades of experience working on climate policy issues.
Increased heat, drought and wildfires are all linked to climate change. Climate change has altered the physical geography in rural areas by disappearing flora and fauna, and other natural habitats that constitute the livelihood of the local people.
In order to understand the ground reality of climate impact in rural areas, we spoke with M Raghuram, Senior Journalist from Karnataka; Shuchita Jha, Journalist at Down To Earth, India; and Tazeen Qureshy, Independent Journalist based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report recently that made global headlines. A fact from the report came out as a dire warning - over 40% of the world's population is "highly vulnerable" to climate change. However, there is much more in this report, which was authored by 270 researchers from 67 countries. The report explains the global and regional impacts of climate change, evaluates the adaptation efforts and explains the vulnerabilities faced by humans with rising temperatures.
To understand what this new IPCC report says climate change could and is costing Indians, we interviewed Chandni Singh, Senior Researcher at Indian Institute for Human Settlements. Chandni is one of the co-authors of the IPCC report and has authored many other important reports on the topics ranging from climate change, adaptation, vulnerability, migration to livelihoods.
Since 2003 when the electricity market in India opened up to private investment, variety of market mechanisms also came up along with it. Long term power purchase agreements have been backbone of power supply in the country. But other short and medium terms contracts have helped meeting sudden demand surge, acted as bridge supply and lately given sale options for renewable energy. Similar contracts have now emerged in the Gas market as well. To understand how the Indian energy trading market works, how it can be made more efficient and real-time, we talked with Rajesh K Mediratta. Mediratta is a sector veteran and has worked with Load Despatch Centres, power system operator and has been instrumental in launching India's first electricity trading platform - Indian Electricity Exchange. He is currently MD and CEO, Indian Gas Exchange.
Timestamp:
0:00 - Podcast intro
0:50 - About RK Mediratta and his professional journey
17:50 - Journey of India’s Electricity trading market
30:25 - Typical contracts that the power exchanges offer in India and how the price discovery mechanism works
33:37 - Level of intervention by the platform in price discovery
36:46 - Convincing discoms to come on exchanges - Allegations of windfall gain during times of electricity supply shortage.
44:47 - How do other electricity markets in Europe function
50:50 - How does Gas exchange function in India?
57:15 - Will gas exchange act as a bridge fuel and help the Indian electricity market in any way? Can both exist in sync?
1:00:15 - Possibility of coal trading in India
1:04:33 - What kind of role can electricity exchange play in the energy transition in India?
1:08:16 - What is the next big thing that the Indian energy market will witness?
1:10:55 - Podcast outro
In the last few years, India electrified nearly all its households by extending the national grid. Yet, reliability of available power is still a major concern. Some rural and remote areas still face power cuts of nearly 10-12 hours a day. Lack of reliable power prevents local economic development as factories and shops cannot function efficiently. Domestic expense also increases as households rely on expensive alternatives such as diesel run generators.
While the centralised power grid will see improvements over time and might be able to provide more reliable power, decentralized renewable energy based mini-grids can also be an effective supplementary solution.
To understand the role of distributed renewable energy in the future of India’s electricity systems, we interviewed Saugata Datta, India Country Director of Husk Power Systems, a company that operates 100s of mini-grids across India and Africa. Saugata has worked with several leading renewable energy companies in India for over two decades and has expertise in clean energy solutions and energy access projects.
The power transmission network is the backbone of any nation's electricity grid. India needs to rapidly expand and overhaul its electricity grid network to undertake a successful energy transition and ensure reliable power to all.
While state-owned Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has led the growth of power transmission in India, a handful of private companies entered the fray in the last decade. But the expansion of India's power transmission network for growing renewable energy capacity would need immense capital, more than what the traditional financing routes could offer.
Alternative funding avenues are now emerging in India. IndiGrid, India’s first listed power transmission infrastructure investment trust or InvIT is aspiring to become one such innovative financial model.
To understand how routes such as InvIT can facilitate global investment in the Indian power transmission and green energy sector while also creating value for investors, we interviewed Harsh Shah, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGrid. Harsh has extensive experience in the infrastructure sector across financing, operations, M&A and regulatory policy.
This episode was recorded before Union Budget
Suggested Readings:
"Section 54EC states that if the profit made on sale of a long-term capital asset – whether an immovable property or shares and stocks – is invested by the taxpayer in 'long-term specified assets' within 6 months of the sale, then the capital gains are exempt from taxation."
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Harsh Shah profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harsh-shah-8634bb6/
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IndiGrid website: https://www.indigrid.co.in/
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SEBI guidelines: https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/may-2016/guidelines-for-public-issue-of-units-of-invits_32500.html
Timestamp:
0:00 - Podcast intro
0:48 - About Harsh Shah and his professional journey
6:42 - Story of IndiGrid - how it started, key factors and people who shaped it.
14:12 - Status of power transmission infrastructure in India. How it could be enhanced to meet Climate targets and the role of InvIT in it?
20:38 - Functioning InvIT, key investors, regulations that make the market and type of assets.
28:02 - How are new assets acquired if 90% of the profits are returned back?
What type of investors InvIT attracts in general and at IndiGrid?
34:57 - Reason for insurance companies and pension funds to show interest in InvIT.
39:21 - Global examples of such financing instruments such as InvIT.
42:06 -: Can InvIT build assets? How are renewable assets suitable to InvIT?
46:03 - Indian renewable assets are low in return. Why then it's compatible with InvIT like model?
49:24 - Is the competitive tariff wars happening in the renewable energy space bad news for investment companies? Should InvIT be used for refinancing rather?
54:46 - When renewables will become a game of financing in the longer run, do you think we should have more actions on financing instruments?
59:21 - How the financial markets have matured in the past decade vis-a-vis regulations and quality/confidence of investors and instruments.
In the history of the global climate change conferences, it was in the recent COP26 that for the first time there was a separate Water pavilion. Water economy management has faced negligence on the climate discussion table till yet but it is time that water is given the centerstage. Water forms the key bridge in the energy-food supply chain. Water resource management will be crucial to the energy transition planning of India – where till two years back, there was no separate department to focus on water scarcity.
In this episode, we are joined by Dr Aditi Mukherji, principal researcher, International Water Management Institute. We will discuss the water-energy-food nexus, how clean energy and water conservation go hand in hand and the role water will play in climate adaptation. Dr Mukherji has close to two decades of experience working in the water resource management space. She is considered an authority on groundwater governance, energy-irrigation nexus and community management of water resources.
Suggested Links:
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Profile of Aditi - https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/about/staff-list/aditi-mukherji/
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Solar irrigation for agriculture resilience – ongoing project by IWMI https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/about/staff-list/aditi-mukherji/show-projects?C=1084
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Role of groundwater in agrarian change in West Bengal and Bangladesh: A comparative analysis - https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/what-we-do/projects/show-projects/?C=1143
CoP26 concluded on November 13 with the Glasgow Climate Pact, signed by leaders from nearly 200 countries. The pact aims to limit global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Throughout the two weeks of the conference there were numerous pledges and declarations. Many experts have hailed the Glasgow Climate Pact and the various climate pledges as a success, while others are not satisfied with these agreements.
To understand the nuances of what unfolded at CoP26, Sandeep interviewed Dr. Simon Evans, Deputy Editor of Carbon Brief, a UK-based website specializing in the science and policy of climate change. Simon is a leading climate and energy journalist who reported extensively on CoP26.
COP26, the world’s biggest climate change conference, is now only a week away.
After traversing through the history and functioning of climate negotiations in the first part of our COP special series, in this second part, we delve into key negotiation points at COP26, India’s role in the current negotiations, and what could be the bottlenecks and common grounds between developed and developing world.
For this episode, we interviewed RR Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow and Programme Director, Earth Science and Climate Change at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Mr. Rashmi was India’s former principal negotiator for climate change negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Time stamp:
0:00 - Podcast intro
1:20 - About RR Rashmi and his professional journey
11:52: How has India’s climate negotiation powers changed on the global stage?
28:09: Key issues that policymakers around the world are going to discuss and what will be India’s position?
38:36 - Will India benefit from climate finance? Is there a need to declare Net Zero
46:35: Are we not committing to phase out coal because we lack the data of how much would be our energy demand?
50:21: India's own plan to reduce coal usage keeps changing. Can we take aggressive steps on coal and gas like the USA and UK?
53:09: What would be the bare minimum that needs to happen to make this COP a success and the maximum? And ideal outcome for a country like India?
59:42 - Podcast outro
COP26, which is the world’s biggest climate change conference, is only two weeks away. Policymakers from over 200 countries will gather at Glasgow to discuss how to move forward with a more ambitious climate agenda. We at the India Energy Hour are really excited to publish two episodes focusing on COP26. We have interviewed two eminent guests who know the ins and outs of COP meetings. This is the first of two episodes.
As we look ahead to COP26, we need to look back at the past climate conferences to understand how climate negotiations work, how they have changed over the years and how India's position evolved over time. The upcoming climate conference or COP26 in Glasgow, could turn out to be like nothing before or just as same as earlier COPs. There are expectations that developing countries will take center stage and seek more climate finance. India has made its stance stronger around its ambitious green energy plans along with fossil fuel growth, while it asks the developed world to fund its climate action.
In the first of two special episodes on COP26, we interviewed senior journalist Nitin Sethi who has attended and closely followed climate negotiations and COP conferences for close to two decades. Nitin is a member of reporters collective and a partner at Land Conflict Watch.
As India goes into the festive season with a rebound in the economy post Covid second wave, the country is facing a power crisis with over 80% of thermal power plants in the country facing a coal shortage. Many states have warned their customers of power shortage and there is considerable panic anticipating these power cuts. But how did the crisis start, who is responsible for it but more importantly, how should the countries’ planners resolve the issue and avoid a repeat?
To understand these issues, we are publishing a special episode exclusively focusing on the power and coal crisis in India. In this episode, Sandeep is interviewing Anupam Chatterjee, energy journalist at Financial Express newspaper along with India Energy Hour co-host Shreya Jai, energy journalist with Business Standard. Both Anupam and Shreya have been reporting on this power and coal crisis, and are considered experienced writers on the subject/energy sector.
There is a sudden upsurge of green sector financing in the world - from direct climate financing, ESG goals, to green bonds. India, one of the fastest growing energy markets with ambitious renewable energy plans is looking at these modes to fuel its green targets. How successful though we have been? And as the country and key investors in the green energy space look outward, does India have a robust domestic financing model or agencies to support its green dreams?
In this episode, we interviewed Kanika Chawla to understand how climate and green energy financing works. We also explored whether the latest green financing trends are sustainable. Kanika is the program manager for the United Nations Inter-agency Mechanism on Energy where she is working on Sustainable energy for all. She has earlier worked with Centre for Energy Environment & Water in India.
Time stamp:
0:00 - Podcast intro
1:22 - Intro of guest
2:17 - Kanika’s journey, key projects by her
9:54 - Challenge or Reward of being a woman professional in a male-dominated energy sector
13:59 - Prevalent financing models in the clean energy sector
22:28 - Financing options for a renewable company who wants to start projects in India
27:56 - Has financing fallen behind the growth of solar and wind in India?
33:11 - Is renewable manufacturing the stepson of financing?
37:43 - Lack and need of proper financing ecosystem for the renewable sector in India
44:04 - Financing support to state owned power distribution companies
51:17 - Are ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) funds a fad or are sustainable?
56:41 - Role and importance of this COP26 in accelerating green energy transition
01:05:43 - Podcast outro
India’s electricity sector is facing two major challenges - low electricity demand and massive overcapacity. On one hand, renewable energy installations are on the rise in the country but it is often curtailed. While 100 GW of solar and wind power have already been installed, 50 GW is under installation and 27 GW is under tendering. On the other hand, India is not cutting down its coal-based power generation but their viability remains under cloud as new efficiency standards kick in.
Can India optimize its power sector such that renewables thrive, and efficient coal power plants get preference as India reduces its carbon and environmental footprint? In this episode, we spoke to Dr. R Srikanth, Professor & Dean, School of Natural Sciences and Engineering at the National Institute of Advanced Studies who proposes that India can shut down its old inefficient coal power plants to achieve these optimization goals. This proposal emerged from a large study Dr. Srikanth and his colleagues undertook focusing on the transition plan for thermal power plants in India.
Time stamp:
0:00 - Podcast intro
1:19 - Intro of guest
2:49 - Srikanth’s professional journey from corporate to academia
12:16 - New report by Srikanth & his team at NIAS on retirement of old coal power plants
26:02 - Rationals and methodology used in the study
43:16 - Does India need to build more coal power plants?
57:37 - Who benefits from running old & inefficient coal power plants and who loses when they shut down?
01:03:43 - Can India decide on reducing the use of coal and plan for a phase out?
01:16:02 - Podcast outro
Farming communities, forest dwellers, tribals with their rivers, mountains and other natural bounties are in the first line of impact from climate change. The worst part is that the most vulnerable are also the least privileged to save themselves from such havoc. The Indian government has put a strong voice on the global stage of climate discourse but are the climate policies covering the most remotely located climate change affected population?
To understand the impact of climate change on the ground and what policy support it will need, we talked with journalist and author Hridayesh Joshi.
Hridayesh is a freelance journalist and also contributes to CarbonCopy Hindi - a dedicated news website for environment and climate change reporting. A journalist for close to two decades, Hridayesh has written a definitive account of the Kedarnath flood tragedy in his book The Rage of the River. Hridayesh is considered one of the foremost environment reporters in the country with his ears always on the ground.
Time stamp:
0:00 - Podcast intro
1:19 - Intro of guest
2:18 - Hridayesh's journalism journey
8:27 - Evolution of climate reporting in India.
11:36 - Understanding of climate change in rural areas?
14:07 - Impact that rural communities face across India, due to climate change
20:21 - Contradictory phenomenon of rural migration linked with lack of infra development but too much infra leads to ecological damage
29:35 - Climate reporting being devoid of stories of the affected
33:48 - Failure in understanding climate change among policy makers as well as local communities
37:24 - Educating people about climate change & identifying its impact
46:40 - Policy support needed from government to disseminate knowledge about climate change
53:28 - Sensitising policy making to the hazards of climate change, making eco-friendly policies
01:02:25 - Adaptation strategies used by rural communities for tackling climate related impact
01:08:26 - Podcast outro
India's solar manufacturing industry has seen only lows in the past decade when solar energy came to the fore in the country. On one side there were cheap Chinese imports eating into the domestic market, and then there were multiple policy flip flops. It is now that the sector is having its moment in the sun with big names venturing into it - from Adani to Reliance Industries. Even the government seems to be offering a steady policy environment and several sops.
To talk about the journey of the sector and what awaits in the future, we talked with Gyanesh Chaudhary, founder and managing director, Vikram Solar. Vikram Solar based in Kolkata was one of the foremost manufacturers in the Indian solar industry and now claims to be the largest. Gyanesh who founded the company comes from manufacturing lineage and started Vikram Solar 15 years ago. The company opened a new unit in Chennai recently.
Timestamp:
0:00 - Podcast intro
1:19 - Introduction of Gyanesh Chaudhary
2:12 - About Gyanesh & journey of solar manufacturing
10:43 - Places, people & events that shaped Vikram Solar
16:40 - About China's manufacturing might in solar & their ultra low cost
21:18 - India's push to renewable power generation without manufacturing ecosystem
23:04 - Business plan of Vikram Solar sans policy support
27:14 - WTO regulations & its impact on Indian manufacturing
29:24 - Comparison between China & India vis a vis financing, government support, sops etc.
33:05 - Is focus now on manufacturing because it makes business sense or there is a policy environment in the country?
35:42 - Ever thought of entering wind manufacturing?
37:24 - Did India miss the bus on solar manufacturing due to initial missteps, pre-2014?
39:49 - Tariff wars in solar and wind and how it impacts manufacturers
43:53 - Future plans of Vikram Solar
45:15 - Entry of conglomerates into solar manufacturing and how it changes the sector's dynamics?
48:18 - Land, Finance, Protection from Imports and Govt Sops. How would you rate these in priority?
51:31 - Weak financing instruments in India for solar manufacturing
56:39 - Contribution of manufacturing to meet 450Gw renewable capacity by 2030. What share of the market is Vikram Solar looking at?
01:02:42 - Podcast outro
The International Energy Agency estimates that over the period to 2040, an estimated 270 million people are likely to be added to India’s urban population. How fast India urbanises and industrialises over the coming decades, and the policies that governs these processes will be of crucial significance for countries’ energy future and global climate mitigation efforts.
To understand the implications of India’s current and future urbanization, we interviewed Siddharth Singh, co-lead author of India Energy Outlook 2021, published by the International Energy Agency. Siddharth has researched and written extensively about global and indian energy sector policies.
Suggested Reading:
- https://www.iea.org/reports/india-energy-outlook-2021
Timestamp:
0:00 - Podcast intro
1:19 - Introduction of Siddharth Singh
2:06 - About Siddharth: Life & career
10:34 - Syriana: Do movie scenes replay in real life?
15:00 - IEA Energy Outlook - How urbanisation is linked to energy use?
24:59 - What urbanisation means in India
30:32 - Impact of construction activities on energy & commodities demand
35:55 - Balancing rising energy need with climate mitigation plans
44:14 - Heat pumps as an alternative to ACs in India
47:50 - Incentivising Energy Efficiency for residential segment
51:05 - Contribution of urban transport to Green Economy
58:18 - Urbanisation & carbon emissions
01:10:40 - What urbanisation scenario India is likely to follow
01:13:32 - Imagining future urban landscape of India
01:18:07 - Transition towards greener mobility options
01:22:20 - Role of public spaces in energy efficiency & urban infra
01:26:13 - Podcast outro
The 10th episode is hosted by Mayank Aggarwal, Contributing Editor, Mongabay India. Mayank is one of the best writers on environment and climate change in India, whose work has been a trailblazer.
Mayank will interview co-host & co-founder of The India Energy Hour, Sandeep Pai on his recently published dissertation on Just Transition and talk about the unique datasets that Sandeep used, and the ground work he did to underline the challenges of jumping from fossil fuel to clean energy in developing economies.
Suggested Readings:
- https://open.library.ubc.ca/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0398719
- https://india.mongabay.com/by/mayank-aggarwal/
- https://india.mongabay.com/series/just-transitions/
G7 nations or group of world's most advanced economies of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States are reportedly planning to ban all fossil fuel finance globally. In fact, G7 has already declared its intention to stop international funding for coal projects.
This fossil fuel finance ban could have an adverse impact on countries in the Global South who are trying to balance their growing energy needs while taking action on climate change. To understand this decision of G7 and its far-reaching repercussions, we spoke with Vijaya Ramachandran, Director for Energy and Development at the Breakthrough Institute in the US. Vijaya is a renowned economist with over three decades of experience working in public policy and academia. She has served on the faculty of Duke University and Georgetown University as well as worked at the World Bank, the Executive Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Center for Global Development.
Suggested readings:
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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01020-z
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https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/541554-economic-growth-in-africa-will-not-be-achieved-by-a
Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a crushing impact on economies around the world including India. Facing an economic crisis never seen since Independence, the central and state governments are realigning their focus towards welfare and developmental sectors. Renewable energy which is the newest infrastructure sector in India could take a backseat.
To understand the impact of Covid on the renewable energy in India, we spoke with Sunil Jain, former CEO, Hero Future Energies and a renewable sector veteran. Sunil has led two clean energy companies in India. He has also been vital in pushing the government to adopt policy changes that shaped the renewable energy sector in the country.
Globally, nearly 2.8 billion people depend on solid fuels such as firewood and biomass for their cooking needs and nearly 1 billion people live without electricity connection. Majority of such people lacking basic energy access reside in African and Asian countries including India. In the last two decades, India has made substantial progress in enhancing energy access through policies that support greater use of LPG cylinders and by expanding the electric grid. However, several issues still remain.
To understand the Indian and global energy access challenge and the required interventions, we interviewed two renowned energy access experts - Shalu Agrawal, Program lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water and Dr Hisham Zerriffi, Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia. Over the years, both Shalu and Hisham have independently led numerous studies on energy access in India and in other countries.
This is our first episode with two guests. An important disclaimer - Hisham is Sandeep’s PhD supervisor at the University of British Columbia.
More than 100 countries have pledged to get to net-zero emissions in the next 30 years. There is increasing international pressure on India to join the bandwagon of countries that have declared net zero. Within India, this has sparked a deeper debate. While some groups contend that India can leapfrog and declare a net zero target by 2050, others warn that such a target will impede India’s developmental needs.
In our sixth episode, we asked Dr. Navroz K. Dubash whether India should declare a net zero target? Dr. Dubash is India's leading climate expert and has been a scholar, policy adviser and an activist for over three decades.
Last month, leading car manufacturer General Motors said that by 2035, it will sell only Zero-Emission Vehicles. Many countries around the world are banning the sale of internal combustion engine cars and embracing electric vehicles. In India, the government and leading car manufacturers are also planning to go big on electric vehicles. While these efforts may help make electric vehicles the future of mobility in India, there are several roadblocks that need to be resolved to unleash the true potential of electric vehicles.
In our fifth episode, we spoke to Sumant Banerji, Senior Journalist and Associate Editor of the Business Today magazine, about the current and future prospects of electric vehicles in the country. Sumant has researched and written about the Indian auto sector for well over a decade and is considered a leading expert in this area.
India’s energy sector policies are complex. Federal government ministries promote different energy policies that are sometimes at odds with one another. Adding to this complexity, state governments actually have to implement these policies but may have different priorities.
In our fourth episode, we spoke to Anil Swarup about the complexity of energy policymaking in India and how India can balance its energy sector policies. Anil is the former federal coal secretary of India and one of India’s most well-known bureaucrats. Anil’s three decades working at various levels of government have given him a ringside view of policymaking. In this episode, he provides a 360-degree view of energy policies in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently announced that rapid expansion of the natural gas-based economy is a must for the country to become an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India). However, in the past, the natural gas sector in India has seen very limited growth and is marred with both supply and demand side issues.
In our third episode, we spoke to Swati D'Souza, about the prospects of a gas based economy. Swati is one of the top experts on oil and gas in India and is currently working as the Research Lead on climate change at the National Foundation for India.
Coal provides nearly two-thirds of India's electricity but its long-term future is uncertain due to the rise of renewables. Understanding coal's future requires understanding its past. In our second episode, we spoke to Dr. Rohit Chandra, who is an Assistant professor at IIT Delhi and a visiting fellow at the Centre for Policy and Research. Rohit is an expert on India’s coal sector and public sector enterprises. In 2018, he defended his dissertation at Harvard University that focused on the economic and political history of coal in India. Rohit is one of the most balanced voices on the subject of fossil fuels and energy transition.
The last decade has seen a phenomenal growth of renewable energy in India, but many challenges remain even today. In the inaugural episode of the India Energy Hour, Vinay Rustagi, co-founder & managing director, Bridge to India (BTI), joins us to look back at the journey of renewable energy in India and discuss the current challenges and future opportunities. As the head of the foremost consultancy in the renewable energy space, Vinay is renowned for offering analytically critical views on the energy sector and its policies.