A pivotal symposium on the “Green Transition in States” took place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event, organised by NITI Aayog, Government of India, in collaboration with the ISEG Foundation as a knowledge partner, attracted senior dignitaries from both central and state governments. Among the prominent attendees were Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog; B. V. R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog; R P Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of SECI; Leena Nandan, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC); Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power; Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG); and Prashant Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

The focal point of the symposium was the launch of the ASSET platform—Accelerating Sustainable Solutions for Energy Transition. This initiative, spearheaded by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Ministries of Power and New and Renewable Energy, aims to accelerate the green transition in states across India. The platform is designed to assist states in developing and implementing their energy transition blueprints, while also creating a pipeline of bankable projects and highlighting best practices in sectors such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), green hydrogen, energy efficiency, e-mobility, offshore wind, and more.

The symposium underscored the crucial role that states will play in achieving India’s broader national aspirations. Sh. Suman Bery emphasized the need for sustained economic growth to meet India’s goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047, and to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070. “States need to develop and implement energy transition plans that are in alignment with our national goals,” Bery remarked. He stressed that this transition would require three key steps: preparing comprehensive energy transition blueprints, developing investible projects, and fostering innovation in emerging technologies.

B. V. R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, reiterated the importance of cooperative federalism. He highlighted how the ASSET platform would equip states with the necessary tools to craft viable and comprehensive green transition plans, all in harmony with India’s national objectives.

R P Gupta, CMD of SECI, spoke about the challenges facing the renewable energy sector, particularly the seasonal intermittency of renewable sources. He stressed the urgent need to commercialise advanced long-term storage technologies to ensure a stable energy supply as the country transitions away from fossil fuels.

Leena Nandan, Secretary of MoEFCC, drew attention to the broader environmental initiatives that complement the green transition. She highlighted the success of the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement and the government’s efforts to expand forest cover, including the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam program, which has resulted in the planting of 99 crore saplings to date. “These efforts contribute significantly to mitigating climate change while fostering a sustainable environment,” Nandan noted.

Pankaj Jain, Secretary of MoPNG, discussed the importance of alternative clean fuels like ethanol, methanol, biogas, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). He also emphasized the role of waste-to-energy technologies in reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, focused on strengthening India’s energy infrastructure to meet peak demand. He pointed to the increasing reliance on hydroelectric power and renewable energy-based storage solutions as key to the country’s energy security.

Prashant Kumar Singh, Secretary of MNRE, provided an update on the significant strides made in renewable energy manufacturing and deployment. He praised the success of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in boosting India’s solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing capacity and highlighted the importance of schemes like PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar in promoting rural solar deployment. Singh noted that these initiatives are critical in achieving India’s target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

The symposium also included two Best Practices Sessions, where states, private firms, and think tanks shared valuable insights and successful initiatives related to energy transition. These sessions provided a platform for knowledge exchange and fostered collaboration between various stakeholders.

In conclusion, the symposium highlighted the importance of a coordinated effort between central and state governments, private sector players, and civil society to achieve India’s green transition goals. The ASSET platform stands as a key instrument in supporting states as they develop and implement their energy transition strategies, ensuring a sustainable and green future for the country.