“Faster energy transition will happen in the wake of global market uncertainty.” Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), is hosting "The Energy Transition Dialogues" (TETD), serving as a platform for various stakeholders to develop solutions for achieving a people-centric energy transition in India and globally. This forum plays a crucial role in promoting international cooperation to expedite the transition to sustainable, clean energy.
The TETD, following the recent G20 meeting, is concentrating on six key pillars: enhancing Renewable Energy (RE) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to attain 50 GW per annum, expanding energy efficiency, modernising utilities, decarbonizing transportation, fostering a people-centric energy transition, and facilitating clean energy financing.
The three-day event (November 1–3) will employ various formats, including closed-door and public discussions, to identify collaborative pathways for consolidating ongoing efforts and establishing new self-sustaining networks to accelerate the energy transition.
Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, emphasised the pivotal role of India in the global energy landscape. He highlighted the need for new alliances, institutions, and partnerships to ensure a seamless transition to clean energy.
Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Government of India, underscored the G20's role in fostering economic growth and development by building consensus among diverse stakeholders. He emphasised the importance of long-term financial instruments like blended finance, credit enhancement, and first-loss guarantees to usher in the era of energy transition.
During the first day of The Energy Transition Dialogues, the winners of GEAPP's annual initiative, ENTICE (Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge), were recognised.
The program's first edition presented four problem statements to innovators and entrepreneurs, challenging them to devise cost-effective, impactful, and scalable solutions for energy storage systems, distributed renewable energy (DRE), affordable DRE tariffs for consumers, and AI to enhance household appliance efficiency. The organisations awarded in the challenge were AmpereHour Energy, REConnect Energy, VFlowTech, and Cancrie. ENTICE aims to promote innovation's role in addressing climate change challenges and support groundbreaking clean energy solutions through market linkages and mentorship.
Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman of GEAPP, emphasised the importance of creating an ecosystem for entrepreneurs, innovators, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy solutions.
The first day of the Dialogues included discussions on India's contributions to the energy transition during the G20 presidency, the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance, and partnerships and collaboration among Global South countries in clean energy transition and sustainable development. Key dignitaries participating in the sessions included Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India; Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Government of India; and Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Former Vice President of Nigeria.
A notable moment on the first day was the launch of the flagship GEAPP-ORF long-form compendium by Honourable Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. The day concluded with significant deliberations on partnerships for energy transition among energy ministers from Global South countries.
The next two days (November 2–3) of The Energy Transition Dialogues will feature discussions on addressing the challenges of transitioning to clean energy access and environmental sustainability. The dialogues will also produce a comprehensive communiqué, serving as a blueprint for the energy transition in India and worldwide.