On Wednesday, February 12, the second day of India Energy Week 2025, renewable energy and finance experts highlighted that the affordability of energy is the key to accelerating the transition to sustainable energy sources.
The panel discussion, titled “Bridging the Energy Transition’s Investment Gaps”, underscored that achieving energy affordability hinges on access to favourable financial terms and the promise of compelling returns on investment.
The panel featured prominent speakers, including Hitesh Vaid, Chief Financial Officer at Cairn Oil and Gas; Katan Hirachand, Chief Executive and Chief Country Officer at Societe Generale Bank; Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, former Secretary at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE); and Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials at the World Economic Forum.
Collaboration and efficient investment
Vaid emphasised the need for collaboration between the government and the private sector. He pointed out that, while private investments are crucial, they require a robust value proposition to ensure profitable returns. “Investment flows where efficiency and opportunity align,” Vaid said, stressing the importance of market segmentation to cater to both urban and rural energy demands.
Mobilising capital for energy solutions
Hirachand highlighted the need to mobilise various forms of capital to drive the energy transition. “India has deep access to local and foreign investment, but project standards must be elevated to attract capital,” he explained.
He also drew attention to the ‘energy trilemma’ — security, sustainability, and affordability — emphasising that affordability is directly linked to the structure of capital.
Consumer interests at the heart of policy
Bhalla reiterated that consumer interest is central to India’s energy policies. He expressed confidence in India’s commitment to clean energy, stating that the country is “walking the talk” with its renewable energy transition. Bhalla outlined India’s ambitious renewable energy targets, including the production of five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, supported by a dedicated budget of approximately INR 20,000 crore (USD 2.31 billion) through the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
He stressed the importance of policy frameworks that enable market players to operate efficiently, ensure transparency in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and foster fair competition to maintain market integrity.
Tailoring energy strategies to local needs
Bocca discussed the need for energy transition strategies that are tailored to meet national and regional requirements. He noted that public-private partnerships have proven highly effective in energy transitions worldwide but added that solutions must be adapted to the unique challenges faced by individual countries.
Bocca also praised India’s rapid deployment of energy projects, noting the country’s ability to minimise bureaucratic delays and deliver results efficiently. He described this approach as “exemplary” and highlighted the emerging technologies in energy efficiency that not only drive sustainability but also create significant employment opportunities
