The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), in collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA), hosted a webinar to discuss The India Energy Outlook 2021, a special report from the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook series.

Panellists:

· Peter Zenieweski, Lead Gas Analyst for World Energy Outlook, IEA

· Seethapathy Chander, Advisor to World Energy Council India and former Independent Director, NTPC

· Swati D’Souza, Research Lead, Climate Change, National Foundation for India

· Rahul Tongia, Senior Fellow, CSEP, moderator

About the Event: This discussion will focus on the future of natural gas and coal in India. Amidst changing global perceptions on fossil fuels and increased focus on clean energy transitions, India aims to create a gas-based economy and expand domestic coal production. This session will focus on the role of natural gas and coal in this changing landscape, exploring the centres for demand over the coming decades, the potential to decarbonise, the impact of transitions on communities, and related aspects of energy policy.

Abstract:

The India Energy Outlook 2021 report explores the opportunities and challenges ahead for India as it seeks to ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to a growing economy and population. The report examines pathways out of the crisis that emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic and longer-term trends, exploring how India’s energy sector might evolve to 2040 under a range of scenarios.

One of the key findings is that much of the growth of emissions lies outside the power sector in the coming decades. For industry and transport, in particular, oil and natural gas are critical, both for energy and being feedstocks. This event will focus the discussion on the future of gas and coal. Amidst changing global perceptions on fossil fuels and increased focus on clean energy transitions, India aims to create a gas-based economy and expand domestic coal production. This session will focus on the role of natural gas and coal in this changing landscape, exploring the centres for demand over the coming decades, the potential to decarbonise, the impact of transitions on communities, and related aspects of energy policy.

Topics for discussion include:

• Can and even should gas be India’s bridge fuel? Or, can some coal use continue while planning a leapfrog to renewable energy and green/blue hydrogen?
• How much path dependency is there for decisions, especially given the multi-decade lifespan for energy infrastructure? Is India risking stranded assets in the sector?
• Are there decision-points coming up soon where India will have to take a call including for investments, R&D and phase-outs?
• What are some possible game-changers, and how many of them depend on government policy or domestic activity?

The IEA has already held a launch and a discussion event on the India Energy Outlook. This event will focus on fossil fuels, especially coal and natural, and their competitiveness, and be a deep dive into possible future trajectories.

For any queries, please mail Aarushi Dave at adave@csep.org and contact Zehra Kazmi at zkazmi@csep.org for media inquiries.

All content reflects the individual views of the speakers. The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) does not hold an institutional view on any subject.