Industry leaders, policymakers, and international coalition representatives gathered at the Trialogue Session on “Making Solar the Energy Source of Choice: Building Resilient Supply Chains for Clean Energy Transitions in the Global South” to address the urgent need for diversified solar PV supply chains.
Organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in collaboration with the Becquerel Institute, the session underscored the importance of strategic investments, climate funding, and international collaboration in accelerating clean energy transitions, particularly in developing countries.
Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI, emphasized India’s potential in renewable energy, noting its competitive advantage in solar energy due to abundant sunny days and high illumination levels. “We are looking for greener energy, and solar will play a significant role. Electric vehicles will only be green if the energy they use is also green,” Dr. Dhawan stated. She highlighted the energy transition as an opportunity for India.
Moderated by Mr. Ajay Shankar, Distinguished Fellow at TERI, the discussion featured insights from leaders across the solar sector, including prominent corporations and international organizations. Experts stressed the need for enhanced investments and collaboration to boost solar PV production and supply chain diversity.
Dr. Rambabu Paravastu, Chief Sustainability Officer at Greenko, called for customized storage solutions to scale up renewable energy in India. “Storage solutions here differ significantly due to the national grid, and we aim for 100 gigawatt-hours of pumped storage by 2030,” he said. He further noted the potential of combining solar, wind, and storage to create a robust renewable energy platform.
Ms. Sunita Sule, Head of Corporate Government Relations at BASF Ltd., highlighted BASF’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, aiming to cut scope one and two emissions by 25% by 2030. “For BASF, renewable energy is crucial in achieving low carbon operations,” she explained.
Rohit Kumar, Secretary General of the Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI), stressed the critical role of climate funding in supporting green transitions. “Climate funding is essential for the Global South, and solar has a pivotal role in this transition,” he said. He noted that climate funding for LDCs offers better prices, presenting an opportunity for these countries.
Mr. Ajay Shankar concluded the session with a call to action for increased cooperation and strategic investments. “The world must achieve net zero as soon as possible. Solar energy represents a significant success story in this endeavor,” he said.
The Trialogue Session concluded with a unified call for deeper collaboration and investment to build resilient solar supply chains. The International Solar Festival 2024 continues to serve as a vital platform for advancing discussions on universal energy access and sustainable development goals.
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