ACPET is focused on creating knowledge around energy transition that is accessible to the common public. It is our endeavour to create and adapt our resources in as many forms as possible for diverse audience groups. If you are interested in building on any of the resources created by the centre, you can reach out to us at acpet@ashoka.edu.in

Workshop on Transition of Coal Mining Communities towards Sustainable Lives and Livelihoods (Trans-Mine) | 2nd Feb, 2024

The conference brought together diverse stakeholders from academia, think tanks, government, and civil society to ideate possible policy and on-ground solutions for communities that are impacted by mine closure. It began with a welcome address by Vaibhav Chowdhary, Director, ACPET. Vaibhav introduced Ashoka University’s Centre on People Centric Energy Transition and shared the macro contours of the project i.e. objective, approach and methodology, location, partners, timelines and potential deliverables etc. Dr. Anindya Sinha, Former CIL and Project Advisor, explained the rationale for selecting the Rajhara mine site of CCL, while Dr. Manish Kumar, Director of CEED discussed sustainable energy transition challenges and opportunities in Jharkhand. Ms. Trapti Malviya, the survey partner from Athena Infonomics, shared primary survey findings. The keynote speaker for the conference Dr. B. Veera Reddy, CDM CCL and Director CIL, emphasized the importance of sustainable and underground coal production until viable alternatives are available. Mr Ajay Kumar Rastogi, Chairman - Government of Jharkhand’s Just Energy Task Force, stressed the need for capacity building, policy changes, and stakeholder involvement in a just transition. He highlighted the importance of repurposing mining land for economic purposes, developing alternative industries, and setting up education hubs. The consultation concluded with a Q&A session, focusing on investment challenges, forest and agriculture-based industries, and evolving mindsets towards energy transition.

List of participants: Coal India Limited (CIL), Central Coalfields Limited (CCL),Government of Jharkhand, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDI), Just Transition Research Centre, IIT Kanpur , Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED), and Athena Infonomics.

Workshop on Energy Transition Financing | 13 Feb, 2024

The first workshop on “Energy Transition Financing,” supported by HSBC and organized by the Ashoka Centre for People-Centric Energy Transition, featured prominent speakers discussing renewable energy’s demand and supply side. Divided into three sessions, the workshop covered unleashing demand, exploring financing methods, and creating a futuristic financing model. Key highlights included the need for financing to address rural and social enterprise needs, particularly in lagging tribal areas. Financing through CSR funds, blended finance models, and green bonds were discussed, emphasizing economic development and community involvement. The workshop underscored the importance of integrating microgrids with grid infrastructure and the need for sustainable, long-term battery solutions for solar-based enterprises. The sessions highlighted the necessity of scaling up financing with a focus on community engagement, regulatory improvements, and cost-reflective tariffs for successful energy transitions, aiming for a sustainable future with inclusive gender considerations and true price discovery of power. The participating organisations included Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), Mlinda Charitable Trust (MCT), Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF), HCL Foundation, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), IRAVATI, Tata Power DDL, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), NTPC School of Business, UN WOMEN, Indian Council for Circular Economy (ICCE) and Council for Social Development(CSD).