By Marvellous Nyang
Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who is the Global Advisor of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), has teamed up with other partners to launch a blueprint for a People-Positive Energy Transition in New Delhi, India.
The launch which came up at a three-day event from November 1 to 3, 2023, organised by GEAPP and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), kick-started with The Energy Transition Dialogues (TETD), and concluded with the release of the TETD Communique, a blueprint for a People-Positive Energy Transition, a clear roadmap outlining key principles and actionable plan crucial for accelerating a sustainable energy transition in India and the world.
According to the organisers, the Communique stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts and shared commitment of all partners involved in the Dialogues and an outcome of months of collaborative discussions convened by GEAPP on the sidelines of the G20 covering six critical pillars of energy action.
The action areas include enhancing Renewable Energy (RE) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to achieve 50GW per annum; scaling up energy efficiency; utility modernization; decarbonisation of transport; people-positive energy transition, and clean energy financing.
Similarly, the comprehensive document outlines key priority areas along with policy and regulatory recommendations to propel India’s net zero ambitions, while setting out a carefully thought-out blueprint for reliable energy access in the lead-up to COP28.
The GEAPP said it is committed to supporting the government’s vision of accelerating clean, sustainable, affordable, and inclusive energy transition, building on the legacy and commitments set under India’s G20 Presidency and in particular, The ‘New Delhi Declaration,’ as the Global Biofuels Alliance, announced during the G20 conference in India, it will act as a platform for fostering global collaboration for the advancement and widespread adoption of biofuel.
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As Prof. Osinbajo was one of the lead discussants at the Dialogues, the event concluded with a keynote address by Tarun Kapoor, Advisor, Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India.
In his address, he said, “The energy transition pathway is challenging but not very difficult. India is currently seeing exponential growth and demand for energy. To ensure energy security, affordability and environmental protection, the country has to utilise renewables, green hydrogen and biofuels for a sustainable and clean energy future.”
A comprehensive report on “Accelerating Battery Storage Adoption by DISCOMS in India,” which is a result of the collective effort by GEAPP and RMI, addressing the pivotal role of energy storage, emphasising the critical importance of effectively integrating BESS assets at the distribution level to meet the evolving demands of our power system, was also released at the event.
Also, earlier in his address, the GEAPP Vice President in India, Saurabh Kumar, said, “The first edition of the Dialogues witnessed attendance from over 300 speakers and delegates who engaged in discussions and devised solutions to accelerate people’s positive energy transition. GEAPP is committed to strengthening coordination and capacity building across different sectors in the energy ecosystem,”
The Energy Transition Dialogues witnessed extensive deliberations covering crucial topics such as collaborative avenues for promoting accessible energy, MDB reforms, and India’s growing prominence as an energy hub in the Indo-Pacific region.
It also delves into global collaborations for sustainable transportation, expanding the utilisation of wind and solar energy in developing nations, and establishing a global climate alliance to regulate pricing, trade, investment, and technology, fostering a seamless shift towards a cleaner energy future.
Partners concluded celebrations at the Dialogues, with a refreshed commitment to ensure actionable pathways towards the energy transition. GEAPP will present the Communique at COP28 to reflect upon this commitment as well as showcase India’s dedication to a global clean energy future.
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is an alliance of philanthropy, governments in emerging and developed economies, and technology, policy, and financing partners.
Our common mission is to enable LMIC’s shift to a clean energy, pro-growth model that accelerates universal energy access and inclusive economic growth while supporting the global community to meet critical climate goals during the next decade.
