The India Energy Hour Presented by 101Reporters

As climate risks intensify across India, state governments are emerging as critical drivers of climate action, adaptation, and energy transition. In this episode of The India Energy Hour, we explore how states can plan, finance, and implement climate action on the ground. While several state-specific models are in the works, New Delhi–based IPE Global recently unveiled a one-stop Climate Readiness Index for states. This index, which relies on tech-based tools and modelling, aims to provide authoritative guidance to states for building their climate action plans.In this episode, we speak with Abinash Mohanty, Global Sector Head – Climate Change and Sustainability at IPE Global, to understand why such an index is needed, which states face the most urgent risks, and how sub-national plans shape India’s net-zero pathway. Mohanty has nearly two decades of experience working across government, development finance, and policy research.Full transcript of the episode is available in English.Presented by 101ReportersAbinash Mohanty is on LinkedIn and Twitter.Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

Having committed to the ambitious target net zero by 2070 and 50 per cent energy from green sources, India would need transition planning across sectors. The most important planning would be in the electricity sector which would need to decarbonise faster than any other sector. This transition would depend on India's ability to produce round-the-clock clean energy, or 24/7 carbon free energy (24/7 CFE), at cost and scale to meet the country’s rapid economic development. But it faces the challenge of grid management and conducive energy planning which would integrate renewable energy across the power systems of the country. To understand one such model of 24/7 CFE, we spoke with Irfan Mohamed, South Asia Analyst at climate analytics nonprofit TransitionZero to delve into the concept of 24/7 CFE and why, according to TransitionZero’s modelling, 24/7 CFE planning and procurement is a ‘no regrets’ option for India’s energy planners, grid operators, and corporates. Irfan is an energy modeller and analyst with multiple years of experience in modelling electricity markets. Before joining TransitionZero, Irfan worked at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero developing decarbonisation policies for the UK.Full transcript of the episode is available in English.Presented by 101ReportersIrfan Mohamed is on LinkedIn.Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

Achieving a low-carbon economy will require trillions of dollars in new investments across renewable energy, infrastructure, industry, and climate adaptation. As India races toward its clean energy and net-zero goals, one question looms large — where will the money come from? What roles will domestic and international finance play, and how can innovative instruments such as green bonds and blended finance help bridge the gap?In this episode of The India Energy Hour, we speak with Neha Kumar, Head of South Asia at the Climate Bonds Initiative, to unpack the complex and rapidly evolving world of climate finance. Neha, a globally recognized expert on climate finance, shares insights on how India can mobilize capital for its green transition and unlock opportunities for sustainable growth.Full transcript of the episode is available in English.Presented by 101ReportersNeha Kumar is on LinkedIn.Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

As India deepens its energy transition and the United States recalibrate its global partnerships, the US–India energy relationship stands at a pivotal moment. From energy  technology collaboration, clean energy supply chains to geopolitical strategy, the partnership is evolving into a key pillar of bilateral engagement shaping both nations’ economic and climate futures.In this episode, we speak with Richard Rossow, Senior Adviser and Chair in India and Emerging Asia Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). We discuss the evolution of the US–India energy ties — from the 2005 Civil Nuclear Agreement to today’s cooperation on clean energy and LNG. Richard unpacks how energy fits into the broader US–India strategic relationship, the growing role of private capital, and what milestones to watch over the next decade in building a resilient, low-carbon future.Full transcript of the episode is available in English.Presented by 101ReportersRichard Rossow is on TwitterFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

Coal India Limited or CIL — the world’s largest coal mining company and one of India’s most influential state-owned enterprises — is now 50 years old. Established to secure the India’s energy needs, Coal India has long been the backbone of India’s industrial and power sectors. But as the country moves toward its net-zero by 2070 goal, the company is now undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history.From being the guardian of India’s coal reserves, Coal India is venturing into new frontiers — investing in critical minerals, solar energy, and coal gasification — signalling a bold pivot toward a cleaner, more diversified energy future.In this episode of The India Energy Hour, we speak with P.M. Prasad, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Coal India Limited, who reflects on his four-decade journey within the company and shares insights into its evolution, challenges, and vision for the future. Mr. Prasad discusses the founding mission of Coal India, its major milestones, and how the company plans to redefine itself in a decarbonising world.Full transcript of the episode is available in EnglishPresented by 101ReportersP.M. Prasad is on TwitterFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

Since the dawn of the Electricity Act, 2003, India's power transmission sector has undergone a transformation during the last two decades. The gates of the sector were open for the private sector, which brought with it investment and innovation. While the private sector continued to face the challenge of competing with an almost monopolistic government organisation, it has been able to grab a sizeable share while also bringing the cost down. And just like any other part of the electricity supply chain in the country, the power transmission sector also stands at the cusp of another transformation with the advent of large-scale renewable energy and new energy solutions. To understand the growth of the country's power transmission sector and what its focus areas are and how it is evolving along with the ever-changing landscape of the power sector, we talked with Pratik Agarwal, managing director of Sterlite Electric and chairman of Resonia. Agarwal has been one of the early movers in the power transmission sector and has a diversified portfolio of businesses in power equipment, manufacturing, renewable energy generation, and allied businesses.Full transcript of the episode is available in English.Presented by 101ReportersPratik Agarwal is on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

Solving the climate crisis—whether by scaling renewable energy or phasing down fossil fuels—requires rigorous, science-based policy that delivers win-win solutions for stakeholders. In this episode, Dr. Jai Asundi, Executive Director of the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), shares how to navigate India’s complex energy and climate policy landscape to ensure research doesn’t just sit on shelves, but actively shapes decisions for a sustainable future.Full transcript of the episode is available in English.Presented by 101ReportersJai Asundi is on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

If there is one common issue that all electricity reforms face in India it is the state of power distribution segment. State owned power distribution companies (discoms) while being marred with financial and operational inefficiencies also plague the rest of the electricity supply chain. Multiple bailout packages and reform schemes have moved the needle of improvement only so much. So what will it take to revive the discoms and fix the forever leaking pipe? To understand this and the transformation that the distribution sector is undergoing, we talked with Alok Kumar. Kumar was former secretary, union ministry of power. An IAS officer, Kumar has held notable positions at state level and in the central government. He is currently director general, All India Discoms Association (AIDA), a newly formed body to further better policies for power distribution sector.Full transcript of the episode is available in EnglishPresented by 101ReportersAlok Kumar is on LinkedIn Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

Girish Sethi, Senior Director at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), shares his immense expertise in decarbonizing energy-intensive sectors like steel and cement. He discusses the critical transition from coal dependence, emphasizing the collaborative roles of finance, policy, and innovation in achieving climate goals. Sethi highlights the potential of green hydrogen and alternative fuels, contrasts India's progress with global standards, and explores challenges in adopting sustainable practices. His insights shed light on the intricate journey of India's heavy industry toward a net-zero future.

The evolution of India’s electricity grid reflects the ever-changing dynamics of the country’s economic and infrastructure growth. Built as a backbone to coal-based power, the grid is now upgrading itself to handle green electricity, give space to energy storage and be flexible to fluctuating demand-supply scenarios. The India Energy Hour brings a special series on the progress of the grid in India, how far it has come in last the 78 years and what the future looks like as we aim to be a net carbon zero economy in the next two decades. From policy to technology, the series scans all aspects of the country’s electricity grid. In the second part, we spoke with tech-entrepreneur Vishal Pandya, co-founder, REConnect Energy, a Bengaluru based digital energy platform. REConnect builds AI and grid automation software products for energy utilities, and provides tech solutions for electricity market products and renewable energy management.Full transcript of the episode is available in EnglishPresented by 101ReportersVishal Pandya is on Twitter and  LinkedInFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin