Ideas of India Akshay Jaitly on India's Energy Sector Challenges, Reforms, and Future Pathways
Mar 13, 2025
In this discussion, Akshay Jaitly, a founder of Trilegal and expert in energy law, dives into India's electricity regulation challenges. He highlights the dysfunction within DISCOMs and the urgent reforms needed for a successful energy transition. The conversation also covers the surge of renewable technologies like wind and solar, alongside the complexities of nuclear energy regulation. Jaitly discusses the role of privatization, the intricacies of tariff negotiations, and the potential of innovative contracts to reshape India’s energy landscape.
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Electricity as a Microcosm
- India's electricity sector reflects broader economic challenges, like state vs. private roles.
- Citizen expectations of free electricity hinder reform efforts.
Regulatory Framework
- Electricity is a concurrent subject in India, with both central and state governments involved.
- The 2003 Electricity Act unbundled the sector but focused on generation privatization, neglecting distribution.
Generation vs. Distribution
- Generation is separated from distribution to protect generators from subsidy burdens and attract private investment.
- Distribution remains state-owned due to its role in subsidy payouts.