03rd February 2022, delhi

This concluding webinar of the four-part series is being organized by USAID’s South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI) program, currently being implemented by IRADe, in partnership with Power Line, the leading energy magazine in South Asia. The webinar series focuses on the broad theme of “Accelerating Cross Border Energy Trade to Transition towards an Energy Secure South Asia”, 

This webinar will focus on clean energy transition in South Asia and the role that regional cooperation will play in it. It will also deliberate on the issues and challenges related to managing renewable energy sources, and how cross border energy trade (CBET) can help address these.

The confirmed speakers include (in alphabetical order):

• Mohammad Alauddin, Chairman, Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority, Bangladesh
• Madhu Prasad Bhetuwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal
• Tarun Kapoor, Former Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
• Phuntsho Namgyal, Director, Department of Renewable Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Bhutan
• Eng. Ranjith Sepala, Chairman, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, Sri Lanka
• John Smith-Sreen, Director, IPO, USAID/India
• G Upadhyay, Scientist “G”, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India

During the course of the discussion, the following questions will be addressed by the panellists:

• What are the clean energy transition plans and targets of South Asian countries?
• What has been experience so far in clean energy adoption? What are the biggest issues and challenges?
• What are the steps being taken to manage intermittent RE generation?
• What is the role of development agencies in accelerating clean energy transition?
• What role can CBET play in clean energy transition in South Asia? 

The webinar will have representation from policymakers, regulators, utilities, consultants, think tanks working in the energy sector in the region.