The first-ever South Asia Clean Energy Forum (SACEF) took place in New Delhi, India, from May 2-4, 2023. The event, centered around the theme “Catalyzing Partnership for Clean Energy Transition,” was organized by USAID through its flagship South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) and the South Asia Regional Energy Hub (SAREH).
SACEF 2023 brought together key players in South Asia’s clean energy sector to address crucial topics such as green hydrogen, e-mobility advancements, cross-border energy trade, and more. The event provided a platform for forging partnerships and promoting collaboration on these important issues. This event comprised of as many as 16 sessions across 3 days with speakers as well as participants from across the globe. More than 60+ speakers attended the event with 400+ participants at the event.
WHY SACEF
South Asia is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, boasting a thriving economy. However, it faces significant energy-related challenges, including limited energy access, low diversity of energy sources, high energy imports, inefficient power systems, underperforming utilities, low regional connectivity, and limited private sector investment. The region’s rapid urbanization and rising middle-class incomes have led to a surge in energy demand, resulting in increased carbon emissions and air pollution. There is vast untapped potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment, which could lead to a transition to sustainable energy with economic, environmental, livelihood, commercial, health, and gender benefits for the region’s 1.5 billion citizens.
The energy sector in South Asia plays a crucial role in the growth and sustainable development of not only the Asia-Pacific region but also in global greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is no annual regional conference that adopts an integrated approach to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the region’s clean energy sector.
There was a need to create a platform for energy sector stakeholders from South Asia, along with global energy experts, to gather regularly, share knowledge, forge partnerships, identify opportunities, and develop a more coordinated approach to improving the region’s energy sector performance. This conference focuses on affordability, access, and inclusion, decarbonization, and a just transition of the energy system.
In line with its mission to improve access to affordable, secure, reliable, and sustainable energy in the region, the United States Agency for International Development organized the South Asia Clean Energy Forum (SACEF) 2023 which is envisioned as an annual gathering for the region’s leading stakeholders in the clean energy sector. This event brings together representatives from South Asian governments, power utilities, regulators, development organizations, financial institutions, clean energy project developers, technology providers, research institutions, capacity-building organizations, and emerging clean energy professionals.
SACEF’s inaugural theme, “Catalyzing Partnership for Clean Energy Transition” highlights the vital role of collaboration in accelerating the deployment of advanced clean energy solutions, modernizing utilities, and innovating green financing solutions.
This forum is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and partnerships and forge collaborations that will drive the energy sector forward in the region.
The energy sector in South Asia plays a crucial role in the growth and sustainable development of not only the Asia-Pacific region but also in global greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is no annual regional conference that adopts an integrated approach to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the region’s clean energy sector. There is a need to create a platform for energy sector stakeholders from South Asia, along with global energy experts, to gather regularly, share knowledge, forge partnerships, identify opportunities, and develop a more coordinated approach to improving the region’s energy sector performance. Such a conference should focus on affordability, access, and inclusion, decarbonization, and a just transition of the energy system.
In line with its mission to improve access to affordable, secure, reliable, and sustainable energy in the region, the United States Agency for International Development is organizing the South Asia Clean Energy Forum (SACEF), which is envisioned as an annual gathering for the region’s leading stakeholders in the clean energy sector. This event will bring together representatives from South Asian governments, power utilities, regulators, development organizations, financial institutions, clean energy project developers, technology providers, research institutions, capacity-building organizations, and emerging clean energy professionals.