SACEF 2023 Sessions

It’s crucial to shaping the future of energy in South Asia because the region has one-fifth of the world’s population and is one of the fastest-growing regions. South Asia heavily relies on fossil fuels, making it one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters globally, which impacts air quality, public health, and the environment. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower can reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and create opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and increased energy access. Partnerships and collaborations between countries and private and public sectors can accelerate the clean energy transition by sharing resources, knowledge, and best practices. Discussions on shaping the future of energy in the region are crucial in achieving the global community’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the impacts of climate change.

Objectives:

SACEF 2023’s Opening Session aims to set the tone for constructive discussions and innovative solutions during the forum, emphasizing the critical role of cross-sector partnerships and emerging technologies in accelerating the clean energy transition. The opening session seeks to accomplish three objectives:

• Set the stage for engaging and forward-thinking discussions.
• Establish common ground for participants.
• Emphasize the critical role of cross-sector partnerships and emerging technologies in accelerating the clean energy transition.

Agenda:

This session will look at energy transition in a global context, highlighting the commitments made by South Asian countries towards decarbonization and deployment of renewables, will provide insights on a partner’s perspective navigating the roadmap to clean energy transition in South Asia, and will highlight the role of finance and public-private partnerships as a pathway forward.

Potential Speakers:

• Hon’ble Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy – Shri. R. K. Singh
• Veena Reddy, Mission Director, USAID/India
• Patricia A. Lacina, Chargé d’Affaires
• Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, International Solar Alliance
• B.S Bhalla, Secretary, Ministry of New & renewable Energy
• Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power
• Suman K Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog
• Anurag Mishra, Sr. Clean Energy Specialist, Indo-Pacific Office, USAID/India

South Asian countries are pursuing decarbonisation strategies that involve increased use of renewable energy (RE) sources. Increased penetration of variable RE requires the electricity system to be more flexible and resilient. This much-required demand flexibility and grid resiliency can be provided by the growing distributed energy resources (DERs) such as energy storage, solar rooftop, virtual power plants, electric vehicles, responsive loads, and grid-interactive efficient buildings. Application of DERs to provide demand flexibility can effectively support distribution companies (DISCOMs) in handling their increasing future electricity demand and operating reliably in a greener grid. DERs can also be crucial in ensuring grid reliability during natural disasters or malicious attacks by supporting critical services through grid islanding.

Objectives:

The session is a timely discussion and can provide valuable insights on how DERs can support demand flexibility and grid resiliency. The objectives of this session are:

• Examine the technologies and business models that are driving the market for distributed energy resources and are transforming the way customers use and generate electricity to provide demand flexibility.
• Explore how DERs can provide support in grid resiliency both in terms of technical resilience and resiliency against potential climate hazards.
• Understand the regulatory environment required for allowing DERs to provide demand flexibility and making the grid resilient.

Panel discussion:

The speakers in the panel discussion will discuss various aspects of using DERs for providing demand flexibility and grid resiliency. The topics include successful demand flexibility initiatives through DERs and business models implemented across globe, the impact of emerging renewable energy technologies on grid resiliency and how DERs can ensure a resilient power grid, steps that regulators, policymakers, and other stakeholders can take to encourage the role of DERs for providing demand flexibility and improving grid resiliency, the role of DERs in facilitating demand flexibility in South Asia, innovations in this space, and how South Asian countries can work together to promote grid resiliency while transitioning to clean energy.

Potential Speakers:

• Adarsh Nagarajan, Principal researcher and Group Manager, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• Dr Sushanta Chatterjee, Chief (Regulatory Affairs), Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
• Divyanshu Jha, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
• Tanmay Tathagat, Director, Environmental Design Solutions (EDS)
• Madhu Prasad Bhetuwal, Joint Secretary (Energy Division), Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal
• Karma Sangay, Executive Engineer, Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy And Natural Resources, Bhutan

Smart metering and data analytics are increasingly being adopted in the power distribution sector across South Asia. It offers several benefits, such as improved energy efficiency, better demand management, reduced losses, and enhanced customer engagement. Also, It can enable utilities to leverage data from various sources, alerts, sensors, resource utilization and weather forecasts, to make more precise decisions about their operations and investments. By leveraging this data, utilities can also improve their customer engagement by providing personalized services and proactive communications.

However, Smart metering adoption in the utilities sector in South Asia also faces several challenges, including the lack of data availability, the shortage of skilled personnel, and the high upfront costs of implementing smart metering networks and data analytics. To overcome these challenges, utilities can collaborate with technology providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to share data, build capacity, and explore innovative business models. In India, Smart metering and data utilization for analytics has gathered pace of late with Government’s ambitious Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP) and Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) of 250 million smart meter installation by 2025, but it is yet to be adopted in same way in South Asian utilities and here lies the potential opportunity for knowledge sharing amongst Indian and South Asian counterparts for faster adoption.

Objectives:

• Understand the technology, business models prevailing amongst different regional power distribution sector and overall need and impact of Smart Metering.
• Various ways of Leveraging the smart meter data to reduce overall payback period of project.
• VAS for consumers and impact on consumer satisfaction and experience.
• Smart metering is the way forward for adoption of future technologies like DERMS, DR, DER, Smart Distribution network.

1. Welcome Remarks
2. Theme Presentations: Smart Metering and Data Analytics (20 minutes)

Expert Speaker 1: Smart Meter Technologies- Indian Experience on its adoption and way ahead

• Challenges in Smart Metering and Data Analytics
• Role of Private players and technology service providers in leveraging smart meter data
• Applications and future trends in Smart Metering and Data Analytics
• Case Studies

Expert Speaker 2: Smart Metering in India – Financial viability and impact on Indian Power Distribution Sector

• Evolution of smart metering business models in India
• Existing Regulatory framework and changes required for successful smart metering implementation
• Expected impact on financial and operational health of DISCOMs
• Smart metering roll-out experience in Indian states

Panel discussion:

• Smart Metering forms the base for future advanced technology roadmap in the power distribution sector such as AI/ML, Grid Transformation- adoption and integration of Renewables, block chain etc.
• Learnings and prospective support areas for South Asian countries from Indian experience of Smart Metering implementation.
• Privacy and Cybersecurity concerns linked with Smart Metering- DISCOM and policy framework readiness
• Monitoring framework of Standard Bidding Document (SBD) defined Service Level Agreement (SLA)’s and guidelines on ground.
• Smart metering impact on Consumer experience enhancement and value-added services

Potential Speakers:

• Jamiruddin Ansari, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Power
• Ms Dechhen Dema, Director, Transmission Department, Bhutan Power Corporation
• Arvind Gujral, Managing Director (India Business) -Bidgley
• Mohamed Rasheed, Chairperson, FENAKA
• Rabindra Shrestha, Deputy Manager at Distribution and Consumer Services Directorate, Nepal Electricity Authority
• Vishal Kapoor, CEO, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), and former Joint Secretary, Distribution, Ministry of Power
• Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited
• Ganesh Shankar Mishra, Managing Director, MPCZ Discom, Bhopal

Adoption of electric vehicles is critical to the South Asian region to cap emissions from the transport sector and lower reliance on fuel imports. The transport sector remains an important source of air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the region, and hence clean mobility is pivotal for meeting the climate change challenge in this climatically vulnerable region. South Asian transport sector has a significant penetration of two wheelers, which is considered as a low hanging fruit for electric vehicle transition. Another feature of this region is predominant use of public transport systems, including railways, buses and three wheelers which are also primary candidates for electrification to drive clean mobility. To sustain EV adoption, creating adequate charging infrastructure and planning renewable power supply for charging electric vehicles becomes important for the region. A viable ecosystem for electric mobility includes strategic partnerships for infrastructure and technology development, innovative business models for EV and EV charging and green investment framework.

Objectives:

1. Critical need to drive Electric Vehicle adoption for reducing air pollution, energy security and climate action for South Asian region
2. How South Asian countries can effectively collaborate with each other to promote adoption of electric vehicles and deployment of charging infrastructure
3. Discuss advanced technologies, innovative business models and investment landscape for electric mobility.

Agenda

• Welcome Remarks:
• Expert Speaker:
  • Overview of India’s e-mobility ecosystem, challenges and opportunities.
  • How partnership with South Asian countries can promote the growth of the sector.
  • Case studies/ Success stories from India (New Delhi)

Panel discussion:

The panel discussion will focus on how electric vehicles will play a critical role in reducing air pollution, maintaining energy security, contributing towards climate action and development for the South Asian region. The panellists will provide a global perspective on EV transition and the actions taken by South Asian countries with regards to EV adoption, building necessary infrastructure and the challenges that the regions are facing in deployment. The discussion will cover topics on advanced technologies, innovative business models and investments in the electric mobility space and how South Asian countries can collaborate with each other to effectively transition to a clean mobility ecosystem.

Potential Speakers:

• Sudhendu Sinha, Adviser, NITI Ayog
• Ravneet Mann, VP, Invest India
• Jasmeet Khurana, Lead – Moving Energy Markets, World Economic Forum
• Dr. Thusitha Sugathapala, Senior Technical Expert, Climate Change & Sustainable Development – Slycan Trust, University of Moratuwa
• Ugyen Norbu, Executive Engineer, Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority
• Ashish Kundra, Principal Secretary-cum-Commissioner Transport, Govt. of Delhi NCT
• Vishal Kapoor, CEO, Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL)

With the goal of encouraging attendees to engage in meaningful and productive discussions, build relationships with peers, and share their knowledge and experiences in a supportive and inclusive environment, SACEF 2023 is hosting a World Café session focused on discussion on policy frameworks and investment opportunities in South Asian Countries.

A world café type of session is an interactive and participatory approach to discussion and knowledge-sharing where attendees sit together in small groups and discuss a question or a topic. It’s called a “café” because it’s like going to a coffee shop with peers and sharing ideas in a less formal manner.

Design of the Session:

• 6 tables/stations are set up across the room. Each table/station will be hosted by country representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
• Attendees will be grouped into batches, which will be assigned to a table/station. Groupings will be pre-assigned.
• At each table, attendees will participate in an interactive and facilitated discussion on a topic related to clean energy in that country. For this particular world café session, the discussion is focused on policy frameworks and investment opportunities.
• The discussions can be structured around open-ended questions that encourage attendees to share their perspectives and experiences and to learn from each other.
• Discussions will be held for 20 minutes each, followed by a 5-minute break, during which people “rotate” to another table. This means that each participant can sit at 3 of the 6 tables during the world café session.

Potential Speakers:

• Participants from India
• Participants from Bangladesh
• Participants from Nepal
• Participants from Sri Lanka
• Participants from Maldives
• Participants from Bhutan

Several countries around the world, including those in South Asia, have committed to net-zero emission targets and are including green hydrogen in their national strategies as a viable option for decarbonizing the energy sector. The International Energy Agency predicts that hydrogen will occupy 13% of the total final energy consumption globally by 2050 under the net-zero emission scenario. Collaboration among South Asian countries can help the region become a leading hub for developing green hydrogen technology and address pressing challenges such as air pollution, energy security, and climate change.

This session focuses on advancing green hydrogen, which is crucial for achieving net-zero emission targets and decarbonizing the energy sector in South Asia. Collaboration among South Asian countries in this field can help the region become a leading hub for developing green hydrogen technology and address pressing challenges such as air pollution, energy security, and climate change. The objective of this session is to discuss:

Agenda:

Theme Presentation: Advancing Green Hydrogen through Collaborative Efforts in South Asia

This thematic presentation focuses on the opportunity for South Asia countries in green hydrogen and what are the key challenges and key steps that the region can devise to overcome these challenges.

Panel discussion:

The panel will discuss bi-lateral mechanisms between renewable energy, hydrogen plants and supporting mechanisms to increase uptake to reach critical mass after which the market is expected to take off and the new business models that are emerging in the region.

Potential Speakers:

• Frigyes Schannen, Roland Berger
• Ajay Yadav, Joint Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• Kirtika Challa, Global Head of Power and Infrastructure Advisory, CrossBoundary
• Attaluri Viswanath, Chief Executive – Business and Projects, Greenstat Hydrogen India Pvt Ltd
• Bimal Jindal, Head of Green Energy Development – L&T
• V. Manjunath, Standards Manager – South Asia and Sub Saharan Africa, UL Standards & Engagement
• Ariane Jouve-Villard, Business Development Executive, HDF Energy
• Dipesh Pherwani, Scientist, National Green Hydrogen Mission, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

South Asian countries have vast energy resources such as wind, solar, hydro, and other resources, but they face challenges in fully utilizing their potential due to limited investment, technology, and institutional support. It is estimated that the region needs to invest $1,390 billion by 2040 to install 750 GW of new energy generation capacity. The involvement of the private sector and multilateral financing institutions can play a significant role in overcoming these challenges and speeding up the energy investment process.

Objectives:

This session addresses the need for mobilizing investments in cross-border electricity trade (CBET) in South Asia, which can help the region utilize its vast energy resources, overcome challenges in investment and technology, and meet the growing energy demand. Private sector involvement and multilateral financing institutions can play a crucial role in accelerating the energy investment process in the region. The objective of this session is to discuss:

• Sharing of international best practices in business and financial models, including investment entities, ownership, financing mechanisms, project structuring, risk management, allocation principles, and cost-recovery methods for developing cross-border electricity transmission
• Discussing key ingredients required for successful regional cross-border transactions, learnings from existing PPP/ JV models for CBET projects in the region
• Providing a platform for South Asian stakeholders to deliberate on issues, challenges and enablers related to mobilizing investments in cross border electricity trade projects
• Role of Regional institutions in determining needs/opportunities for regional investment and to support the whole value chain: identification of the project, mobilization of funds, and policy, legal and regulatory gaps

Agenda:

• Welcome Remarks
• Expert Speaker
• Theme Presentation by SAREP on Successful Strategies for mobilizing investments in cross border power projects

Panel discussion:

The panel will discuss the key prerequisites for financing cross-border projects, the avenues for financing for complex cross-border energy projects, the transactions to share transmission cost and the key policy & regulatory enablers for supporting successful regional interconnections in the region.

Potential Speakers:

• Sushil Bhatta, CEO, Investment Board Nepal (IBN)
• Arjun Kumar Gautam, CEO, Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Limited
• Shanker Khagi, Environment and Energy Specialist, USAID/Nepal
• Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
• Monali Zeya Hazra, Regional Energy & Clean Energy Specialist and Mission Environment Officer, Indo Pacific Office, USAID/India
• Abhishek Ranjan, Sr. VP Strategy & Head – Utilities & Retail, Renew Power
• Ms. Shirin Jamshidi , Director Investments (Office of Development Credit/ Mission Transaction Unit) – Asia and MENA, US DFC
• Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, MD, Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC), Bhutan
• Lokman Hossain Miah, Executive Chairman (Senior Secretary), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA)

South Asia is set to experience significant economic growth, led by India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, resulting in increased energy consumption and the need for clean energy sources. The region requires an investment of USD 2.6 trillion by 2030 to meet its clean energy commitments, but there is currently an annual financing gap of USD 313 billion. To achieve these targets, mobilizing international capital and innovative financing instruments will be crucial for the region.

This session, which is a panel discussion, addresses the need for innovative financing strategies in South Asia to mobilize international capital and bridge the financing gap required to meet the region’s clean energy commitments. With significant economic growth expected in the region, innovative financing instruments can play a crucial role in accelerating the transition towards clean energy sources to meet the increasing energy demand. The major objective of the session shall be as follows:

• Identify the major challenges with regards to the financing of clean energy especially relating to the mobilization of international capital in South Asia
• Discuss and shortlist possible strategies for mitigating the challenges identified
• Review and suggest the major financing instruments that can be deployed for mobilizing international capital in South Asia.

Agenda:

• Welcome Remarks & Context Presentation

Panel discussion:

The panel will focus on ‘Mitigating strategies and use of innovative financing instruments for mobilising international capital for clean energy projects in South Asia’.

Potential Speakers:

• Vishal Bista, Investment Manager and Energy Lead at Dolma
• Ms. Neha Kumar, Head – South Asia Programme, Climate Bonds Initiative
• Namrata Mukherjee, DCOP, SAREP
• Jay Gandhi, Partner, SAM
• Aparna Mangla, Investments, Private Equity Funds Asia, CDC Group plc
• T. Harikrishnan, IIFCL
• Ram Krishna Khatiwada, CEO, Nepal Infrastructure Bank Ltd. (NIFRA)
• Enamul Karim Pavel, Head RE, IDCOL

Clean energy transition in the region requires a holistic approach to scale up deployment, including the development of required capacity through skilling the workforce. Adopting a regional approach towards training and skill development can enable transfer of knowledge and cross-border collaboration between training institutions, allowing for the utilization of relevant expertise and experience in the region to build workforce capacities.

This session focuses on the need for training and skill development in the clean energy workforce, which is crucial for scaling up the deployment of clean energy sources in the region. A regional approach towards training and skill development can enable transfer of knowledge, collaboration between institutions, and utilization of expertise and experience in the region to build workforce capacities. The objective of this session is to discuss:

• Sharing of skill development framework of respective countries in the region.
• Explore opportunities for regional collaboration in institutionalizing skill development across the region.
• Establish dialogue between training institutions of South Asian countries for possible partnerships and knowledge sharing.

Panel discussion:

The panel will discuss key initiatives being planned towards planning skill development programs to prepare for the expected skilled workforce requirement for achieving clean energy transition targets, priority roles being envisaged to assist in clean energy transition and efforts are being taken in planning for skill development to make it more inclusive.

Potential Speakers:

• Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, National Skill Development Corporation
• Poonam Sandhu, Ex – National Research Development Corporation
• Arpit Sharma – COO of SCGJ
• Jeeb Narayan Kafle, Member Secretary, Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training, Nepal
• Ibrahim Asif Rasheed, Director General, Policy Planning and Research Division, Ministry of Education, Maldives
• Travis Guymon, Environment & Energy Team Lead at USAID/Nepal
• Anurag Mishra, Sr. Clean Energy Specialist, Indo-Pacific Office, USAID
• Norbu Wangchuk, Director – Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development (DWPSD)
• Mrs. Deepa Liyanage, Secretary, State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation, Sri Lanka

The SACEF 2023’s closing plenary session will serve as a platform to consolidate the key messages, learnings, shared knowledge, and ideas generated in the main SACEF sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the progress made during the forum and discuss the way forward, ensuring a continued collaborative approach to addressing the region’s energy challenges. This session aims to inspire and energize participants to maintain the momentum of the clean energy movement in South Asia, turning discussions into tangible actions and lasting impact.

Objectives:

There are three main objectives of the closing session:

• Provide a brief recap of SACEF 2023 sessions by highlighting key messages and insights.
• Ensure that participants, many of whom are the key stakeholders in the energy transition in South Asia, are engaged through active participation.

Agenda:

The agenda for the closing plenary has three parts: recap and highlights, an interactive townhall, and special remarks and vote of thanks.

1. SACEF 2023 Highlights and Recap of Key Messages

• Brief video presentation of the highlights of SACEF 2023 with a summary of the key messages and insights of the event
• Interactive Audience Poll, where attendees provide real-time feedback via online poll

2. SACEF 2023 Townhall

• Moderated plenary discussion: reflections and forward-looking insights

3. Special Remarks and Closing

• Special Remarks: Reflections on SACEF 2023 by country representatives
• India (host country)
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka
• Closing Remarks – Vote of Thanks

Potential Speakers:

• R K Goyal, Chief of Party, SAREP
• Dr. Peter du Pont, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Asia Clean Energy Partners
• Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale, Joint Secretary, MNRE
• John Smith-Sreen, Director, Indo-Pacific Office, USAID/India