Veranstaltungsberichte
Event summary:
With increasing adoption of renewable energy resources and clean energy options across the globe, the concept of energy security that was largely influenced by conventional energy sources or fossil fuels is transforming with the debate expanding to include climate change and sustainable development perspectives.
India’s energy security scenario is co-dependent on the transformations that occur in the area of climate change and SDGs with global and local implications. It is well known that geopolitical games have been played using conventional fuels as a bargaining chip and to assert power over other nations. Increasingly, similar overtures of geopolitical tussle are evident in the field of clean energy as well. Countries are competing in the technology and innovation space, for raw materials and resources and to cooperate with like-minded countries towards a cleaner world. This scenario is beneficial to further the climate change goals, however the competition should not lead to further disparities among countries that are already divided into developed, developing and other categories within the climate debate.
There are significant possibilities for enhancing collaboration and pushing for global energy governance regime especially with the expansion of renewable energy that provides all stakeholders to actively participate in its governance, markets and innovations. Geopolitics of renewable energy is intrinsically linked to global value chain of the RE technologies and is diffused in nature as well. While the fossil fuel regime still remains state led and controlled by a handful countries.
Investing in resource base is considered a good mechanism to ensure long term supply of required energy sources, however India also needs to enhance its resource efficiency initiatives to strengthen its recovery and recycling sector to reduce primary resource use.
The necessity to access technology, to engage in appropriate international collaboration and to ensure adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency measures at sectoral level is far more significant now for India while moving towards its recovery from the pandemic. Innovative measures in the energy sector may create more jobs and secure a green future for India. Countries that secure a low carbon future may gain in global energy relations in the long term and also transform into formidable geopolitical player. With a decade to go for fulfilling Agenda 2030, India’s future energy relations will need to take into cognizance not just resources but also the trickle down effects of energy choices at sub-national and at local level.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) India office organized the second diginar on, “India’s rising presence in Global Energy Scenario- From Global to Local” on 20th and 21st January 2021 as part of its Study project titled “India’s energy scenario- 2040 and beyond” . The diginar discussed different debates on the changing contours of global energy governance from resource, technology, multilateral and bilateral perspective and how India’s role is changing it. Panelists of the virtual energy series included scholars and practitioners from think tanks, academic institutions, policymakers and thought leaders who are contributing to the energy discourse in India and abroad.
The discussions revolved around the transformations of energy policies by many countries. EU is focusing on reducing emissions by raising targets, yet the reality of its current energy scenarios is far from the goals. The case of Germany was highlighted where nuclear energy is being phased out and there is a focus on enhancing renewable energy. However domestic challenges such as slow pace of expansion and increasing Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) perspective in the case of wind energy are posing challenges. Mr. Peter Rimmele, Resident Representative, KAS India Office highlighted the trials that lie ahead for achieving energy security while addressing Climate change.
There is a transition from conventional resources to renewable energy technologies in India, however the imports are shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies largely due to inadequate domestic policies for supporting a domestic manufacturing base. This trend needs to change for India to reduce its import dependence and create a self-sufficiency in renewable energy technologies. Mr. Souvik Bhattacharjya, Associate Director, TERI discussed the domestic challenges that have significant bearing on India’s international energy linkages.
Prof. Sanjay Kumar Pradhan discussed the nuances of India’s Oil & Gas Relations. The discourse on India’s energy relations in context to oil and gas focused on climate change concerns and air quality deterioration of Indian cities prompting for a serious look on use of hydrocarbon resources. The present requirements and future energy demands necessitate for production, consumption and import of more oil and natural gas resources. Hence, energy as a strategic resource, having economic and geopolitical implications, will continue as a core area of India’s foreign policy pursuit. Given India’s quest for energy security, it is imperative for India to go for reduction of coal energy by other means such as oil and natural gas which are affordable and largely available in the international energy market. This would be significant considering India’s commitment to reduce emissions and promote clean energy would be juxtaposed to the increasing fossil fuel consumption.
India is pinning its hope on increasing cross-border energy trade in the near future with its neighboring nations, however the road to achieving this Goal has been arduous due to complicated history of the region. Dr. Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury and Roshan Saha comprehensively discussed the Cross-border energy trade opportunities and challenges in BIMSTEC region. They discussed the prospects of BBIN focused energy relations (Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal) as all the countries have well established bilateral trade agreements. BBIN could play a major role in fostering multilateral energy cooperation among all the BIMSTEC nations- especially electricity trade. The major political economy challenges for India in expanding this pursuit are resource nationalism, maritime chokepoints restricting passage of energy trade, and the history of India’s multilateralism trade. To change things and going forward, countries need to understand each other’s perception about the current situation and energy necessities to enhance cross border energy cooperation for the sake of the common people.
Clean energy has changed the global energy governance regime and brought in several transformations. In addition, India is emerging as a significant force in clean energy as facilitator, enabler and as a voice for developing countries. Shuva Raha and Nandini Harihar discussed India’s changing role in the global energy governance framework especially in clean energy. They highlighted the significant potential that India has to emerge as a global leader in clean energy governance and the several initiatives that it has undertaken to enhance its presence. They also identified that India needs to navigate through certain transitions in global governance by focusing on rule-making rather rule-taking regime, to transition from a rule making to regime design that also translates in regime complexes rather than single institutions. They also highlighted the significance of informal network over formal ones.
India and Germany have been consistently cooperating in the field of energy and their relations has translated into the formation of several bilateral forums to discuss energy, environment and climate change. Dr. Rajnish Tiwari discussed the Indo German energy cooperation in wind energy. He highlighted that the decline in new additions is increasing because of low prices which is putting pressure on companies, further obtaining land for project establishment continues to be a hindrance in India as well. Increasing use of disruptive innovations such lattice/hybrid towers have enabled cost effective solution maximizing mechanism for domestic execution. Low profitability and small transaction sizes continue to threaten the wind power sector, however cooperation in tech management and a large market potential for exports continues to be an upside for wind power. The avenues for collaboration are many, especially from the development of a value chain given a wind power project has close to 8000 components in it. Application of frugal solutions in the global market is the need of the hour. Need for strong government level engagement to reduce market and technology risks is also being felt acutely.
With the Pandemic changing the course of all economies globally, the impacts on energy sector are deep and complex as well. As countries formulate plans and strategies for economic recovery, the need to address the challenges emerging in energy sector is essential. Dr Gargi Adhikari focused on Redesigning India’s strategy for the post Covid 19 era. She highlighted the lack of nationalized policy measure impacting coherent policy measures. The over reliance on technology imports and supply chain on a few countries has impacted India’s RE due to COVID 19 with supply disruptions. Renewable Energy in power sector was an imperative source of energy during the pandemic, showcasing the flexibility of RE even when coal was running on low capacity. The Indian government’s focus on labelling RE as key source and essential input to power sector has shifted focus on cleaner energy transition in the country. The regional and neighborhood diplomatic processes can foster co- innovation, creating avenues for joint innovation and scaling up manufacturing capabilities.
New institutions in the global energy governance framework were changing the discourse and providing a space for developing countries to foster their energy development and take decisive actions. The case of International Solar Alliance was highlighted by Swati Ganeshan as an example of interlinking the fulfillment of energy security and climate change agenda while seeking to provide solar solutions at an affordable price and enhance capacities of countries lacking skills in solar energy. India has the potential to play a vital role in future if it is able to steer the ISA as a truly multilateral forum that provides a voice to all developing countries and engages them in planning and implementation.
With increasing adoption of renewable energy resources and clean energy options across the globe, the concept of energy security that was largely influenced by conventional energy sources or fossil fuels is transforming with the debate expanding to include climate change and sustainable development perspectives.
India’s energy security scenario is co-dependent on the transformations that occur in the area of climate change and SDGs with global and local implications. It is well known that geopolitical games have been played using conventional fuels as a bargaining chip and to assert power over other nations. Increasingly, similar overtures of geopolitical tussle are evident in the field of clean energy as well. Countries are competing in the technology and innovation space, for raw materials and resources and to cooperate with like-minded countries towards a cleaner world. This scenario is beneficial to further the climate change goals, however the competition should not lead to further disparities among countries that are already divided into developed, developing and other categories within the climate debate.
There are significant possibilities for enhancing collaboration and pushing for global energy governance regime especially with the expansion of renewable energy that provides all stakeholders to actively participate in its governance, markets and innovations. Geopolitics of renewable energy is intrinsically linked to global value chain of the RE technologies and is diffused in nature as well. While the fossil fuel regime still remains state led and controlled by a handful countries.
Investing in resource base is considered a good mechanism to ensure long term supply of required energy sources, however India also needs to enhance its resource efficiency initiatives to strengthen its recovery and recycling sector to reduce primary resource use.
The necessity to access technology, to engage in appropriate international collaboration and to ensure adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency measures at sectoral level is far more significant now for India while moving towards its recovery from the pandemic. Innovative measures in the energy sector may create more jobs and secure a green future for India. Countries that secure a low carbon future may gain in global energy relations in the long term and also transform into formidable geopolitical player. With a decade to go for fulfilling Agenda 2030, India’s future energy relations will need to take into cognizance not just resources but also the trickle down effects of energy choices at sub-national and at local level.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) India office organized the second diginar on, “India’s rising presence in Global Energy Scenario- From Global to Local” on 20th and 21st January 2021 as part of its Study project titled “India’s energy scenario- 2040 and beyond” . The diginar discussed different debates on the changing contours of global energy governance from resource, technology, multilateral and bilateral perspective and how India’s role is changing it. Panelists of the virtual energy series included scholars and practitioners from think tanks, academic institutions, policymakers and thought leaders who are contributing to the energy discourse in India and abroad.
The discussions revolved around the transformations of energy policies by many countries. EU is focusing on reducing emissions by raising targets, yet the reality of its current energy scenarios is far from the goals. The case of Germany was highlighted where nuclear energy is being phased out and there is a focus on enhancing renewable energy. However domestic challenges such as slow pace of expansion and increasing Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) perspective in the case of wind energy are posing challenges. Mr. Peter Rimmele, Resident Representative, KAS India Office highlighted the trials that lie ahead for achieving energy security while addressing Climate change.
There is a transition from conventional resources to renewable energy technologies in India, however the imports are shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies largely due to inadequate domestic policies for supporting a domestic manufacturing base. This trend needs to change for India to reduce its import dependence and create a self-sufficiency in renewable energy technologies. Mr. Souvik Bhattacharjya, Associate Director, TERI discussed the domestic challenges that have significant bearing on India’s international energy linkages.
Prof. Sanjay Kumar Pradhan discussed the nuances of India’s Oil & Gas Relations. The discourse on India’s energy relations in context to oil and gas focused on climate change concerns and air quality deterioration of Indian cities prompting for a serious look on use of hydrocarbon resources. The present requirements and future energy demands necessitate for production, consumption and import of more oil and natural gas resources. Hence, energy as a strategic resource, having economic and geopolitical implications, will continue as a core area of India’s foreign policy pursuit. Given India’s quest for energy security, it is imperative for India to go for reduction of coal energy by other means such as oil and natural gas which are affordable and largely available in the international energy market. This would be significant considering India’s commitment to reduce emissions and promote clean energy would be juxtaposed to the increasing fossil fuel consumption.
India is pinning its hope on increasing cross-border energy trade in the near future with its neighboring nations, however the road to achieving this Goal has been arduous due to complicated history of the region. Dr. Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury and Roshan Saha comprehensively discussed the Cross-border energy trade opportunities and challenges in BIMSTEC region. They discussed the prospects of BBIN focused energy relations (Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal) as all the countries have well established bilateral trade agreements. BBIN could play a major role in fostering multilateral energy cooperation among all the BIMSTEC nations- especially electricity trade. The major political economy challenges for India in expanding this pursuit are resource nationalism, maritime chokepoints restricting passage of energy trade, and the history of India’s multilateralism trade. To change things and going forward, countries need to understand each other’s perception about the current situation and energy necessities to enhance cross border energy cooperation for the sake of the common people.
Clean energy has changed the global energy governance regime and brought in several transformations. In addition, India is emerging as a significant force in clean energy as facilitator, enabler and as a voice for developing countries. Shuva Raha and Nandini Harihar discussed India’s changing role in the global energy governance framework especially in clean energy. They highlighted the significant potential that India has to emerge as a global leader in clean energy governance and the several initiatives that it has undertaken to enhance its presence. They also identified that India needs to navigate through certain transitions in global governance by focusing on rule-making rather rule-taking regime, to transition from a rule making to regime design that also translates in regime complexes rather than single institutions. They also highlighted the significance of informal network over formal ones.
India and Germany have been consistently cooperating in the field of energy and their relations has translated into the formation of several bilateral forums to discuss energy, environment and climate change. Dr. Rajnish Tiwari discussed the Indo German energy cooperation in wind energy. He highlighted that the decline in new additions is increasing because of low prices which is putting pressure on companies, further obtaining land for project establishment continues to be a hindrance in India as well. Increasing use of disruptive innovations such lattice/hybrid towers have enabled cost effective solution maximizing mechanism for domestic execution. Low profitability and small transaction sizes continue to threaten the wind power sector, however cooperation in tech management and a large market potential for exports continues to be an upside for wind power. The avenues for collaboration are many, especially from the development of a value chain given a wind power project has close to 8000 components in it. Application of frugal solutions in the global market is the need of the hour. Need for strong government level engagement to reduce market and technology risks is also being felt acutely.
With the Pandemic changing the course of all economies globally, the impacts on energy sector are deep and complex as well. As countries formulate plans and strategies for economic recovery, the need to address the challenges emerging in energy sector is essential. Dr Gargi Adhikari focused on Redesigning India’s strategy for the post Covid 19 era. She highlighted the lack of nationalized policy measure impacting coherent policy measures. The over reliance on technology imports and supply chain on a few countries has impacted India’s RE due to COVID 19 with supply disruptions. Renewable Energy in power sector was an imperative source of energy during the pandemic, showcasing the flexibility of RE even when coal was running on low capacity. The Indian government’s focus on labelling RE as key source and essential input to power sector has shifted focus on cleaner energy transition in the country. The regional and neighborhood diplomatic processes can foster co- innovation, creating avenues for joint innovation and scaling up manufacturing capabilities.
New institutions in the global energy governance framework were changing the discourse and providing a space for developing countries to foster their energy development and take decisive actions. The case of International Solar Alliance was highlighted by Swati Ganeshan as an example of interlinking the fulfillment of energy security and climate change agenda while seeking to provide solar solutions at an affordable price and enhance capacities of countries lacking skills in solar energy. India has the potential to play a vital role in future if it is able to steer the ISA as a truly multilateral forum that provides a voice to all developing countries and engages them in planning and implementation.