TERI Advances Clean Energy Agenda at 4th East and North East India Energy Conclave
Kolkata, May 22, 2025: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), as Knowledge Partner at the 4th East and North East India Energy Conclave in Kolkata, highlighted the region’s pivotal role in driving India’s clean energy future. Organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the conclave–held under the theme ‘Optimizing Opportunities in Energy Transition’– focused on harnessing emerging technologies to accelerate the shift to renewable energy across Eastern and North-Eastern states.
TERI pushes for a resilient energy future in Eastern and North-Eastern India through knowledge paper, EV roadmap, and collaborative initiatives
A series of forward-looking initiatives aimed at shaping a resilient and inclusive energy future for the region was also launched by TERI. Among these were a knowledge paper titled, Powering Progress: Unlocking the Energy Potential of Eastern and North-Eastern India, offering strategic insights into accelerating renewable energy adoption, modernizing grid systems, and fostering region-specific innovation. The paper draws attention to the unique energy landscape of the East and North-East, and presents actionable pathways to unlock their untapped potential while ensuring equitable development. The second initiative was in the form of a dynamic EV web portal, launched with the objective to map the long-term infrastructure requirements for charging electric vehicles (EVs) in Kolkata, projecting needs up to 2050. Third, a short video titled, “Decarbonizing Kolkata’s Public Transport” was screened, advocating for low-emission, future-ready transit systems that serve both environmental and social goals.
At the Conclave, Mr AK Saxena, Senior Director, TERI, emphasized, “The knowledge paper offers a compelling assessment of how Eastern and North-Eastern states can become the driving force behind India’s clean energy transition. With strategic recommendations on grid infrastructure, energy storage, and decentralized energy access, it lays a clear roadmap for a sustainable and inclusive energy future. The State is actively promoting e-mobility and has set an ambitious target of deploying 1,260 electric buses by 2025, a significant leap from the current fleet of just 80.”
In her keynote address, Dr Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister in Charge of the Departments of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises and Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal, underscored, “The State is going through an impressive growth trajectory under the leadership of Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal. It is aggressively adopting clean and emerging technologies in the power sector, from ultra-super critical thermal power plants, underground coal gasification to mega solar projects at a highly competitive tariff, in addition to the Green Hydrogen Policy.” She further acknowledged that the signing of the MoU between TERI and NRES Department will help the state government achieve its clean energy target of 20% by 2030 from the current level of 5%.
Shri Barun Kumar Ray, Additional Chief Secretary, Non-Conventional and Renewable Energy Sources Department, Government of West Bengal, observed, “The State has enormous potential for AgriPV and cold storage facilities powered by round-the-clock power. It is also working on a 'Green Zone' programme scheduled to start in Salt Lake City (Sector 5 area), and will implement demonstration projects on new and innovative solar like BIPV, RIPV as well as induction of EV fleets including retrofitting.”
Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, acknowledged the strength of UK-India collaboration on clean energy and climate initiatives. “The UK Government looks forward to bringing companies working in the renewable energy sector with global expertise and experience to partner with and support East and North East India’s clean energy transition journey. In the past, the UK Government has worked with the State Power Department and formulated West Bengal EV Policy, 2021,” he added.
The inaugural session was followed by a series of expert-led panel discussions that delved into critical aspects of India’s energy transition, including renewable deployment, energy storage, green hydrogen, decentralized systems, policy reform, and financing.
TERI remains committed to supporting the Eastern and North-Eastern states in shaping a clean, resilient, and inclusive energy future aligned with India’s net-zero ambitions.
Link to Knowledge Paper: https://teriin.org/policy-brief/knowledge-paper-powering-progress-unlocking-energy-potential-eastern-and-north-eastern
Link to EV Web Portal: https://netzerokolkata.teri.res.in/