The India Energy Hour Presented by 101Reporters

Hydrogen is gaining significant traction as a key element in the global and Indian transition to clean energy. However, with different types of hydrogen production—green, grey, and blue—there’s much to unpack. Green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy sources, is widely regarded as the most sustainable option but is very expensive to produce. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, with a target of 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2030, is a bold move in the country’s energy transition. But is this target too ambitious? What does the policy landscape around hydrogen in India look like, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead?To understand the role of hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, in India’s energy transition, we interviewed Vijay Shekhawat, Vice President (Public Affairs), Thyssenkrupp Nucera. Vijay is regarded as an energy expert with a deep understanding of India’s energy landscape.Full transcript of the episode is available in EnglishPresented by 101ReportersFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

As India eyes its net zero targets, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is becoming central to decarbonizing core industries like steel, cement, and petrochemicals. While the technology holds immense promise, its adoption in India remains limited—hindered by cost concerns and lack of policy clarity.To understand the road ahead, we spoke with Mr. Atanu Mukherjee, CEO of Dastur Energy. From shaping early internet technologies to leading CCUS innovation in India, Mr. Atanu Mukherjee shares a compelling perspective on the need for supportive policies, financing models, and industry-wide collaboration to scale CCUS in India’s energy transition.Full transcript of the episode is available in EnglishPresented by 101ReportersAtanu Mukherjee is on TwitterFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

As India transitions toward a low-carbon future, the private sector’s role in embracing sustainability and ESG is paramount. While top corporations lead with ambitious net-zero goals, many small and mid-sized firms are yet to begin their sustainability and ESG journey — held back by data challenges, lack of awareness, and complex disclosure frameworks.To understand how Indian companies can embrace sustainability and ESG, we spoke with Ms. Prarthana Borah, Vice President, Momentum. With decades of experience across environmental education and corporate sustainability, she offers valuable insights on simplifying ESG frameworks, building internal capacity, and unlocking the potential of India’s private sector in the net-zero transition. Full transcript of the episode is available in English Presented by 101Reporters Prarthana Borah is on Linkedin & Twitter Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs) in the Oil & Gas sector play a critical role in ensuring energy security for the country. They are among the most diversified entities, spanning the entire oil & gas value chain—from upstream to downstream operations. But as India moves toward its net zero goals, the question arises: Can oil & gas SoEs diversify into clean energy sectors? What challenges must they overcome to adapt? And how can they improve carbon management in a Net Zero India?To explore the evolving role of Oil & Gas SoEs in India's energy transition, we spoke with Mr. Deepak Tandon, Executive Director of the Carbon Management and Sustainability Group at ONGC Ltd. With over four decades of experience in Indian SoEs, Mr. Tandon shares invaluable insights into how SoEs future in a net zero India. Full transcript of the episode is available in English Presented by 101Reporters Deepak Tandon is on LinkedIn Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

The role of State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs) in India's energy transition cannot be overstated. SoEs, or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), control majority of India’s fossil fuel production and provide millions of jobs across the country. As India accelerates its energy transition, these enterprises will play a crucial role in scaling the rapid deployment of clean energy. Historically, SoEs have been key drivers of economic growth and local welfare. However, they are often seen as bureaucratic, slow in decision-making, and susceptible to political influence.To gain insights into the role Indian SoEs can play in this energy transition, we spoke with Dr. B. Veera Reddy, Former Director (Technical) of Coal India Limited and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Central Coalfields Limited. Dr. Reddy brings nearly four decades of experience working with Indian SoEs. Full transcript of the episode is available in English Presented by 101Reporters Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

India's foray into renewable energy (RE) started with its thermal power giant NTPC Ltd.In the mid-2000s, NTPC, which is also the country's largest power generator, formed a division that would bundle RE with thermal and sell it together. Cut to 20 years later, NTPC has become the first public sector enterprise (PSEs) to publicly list its dedicated RE company.Most of the paradigm shifts in the Indian economy have been invariably led by PSEs, which Nehru called the Temples of Modern India. From coal mining to power generation, mega hydroelectric dams, and now green transition.To understand the history of energy policy making in India and the role of government and government-owned entities, we talked with Mohit Bhargava, former CEO, NTPC Green Energy Ltd.Bhargava, a career NTPC executive, has been involved with key responsibilities in the organisation, the last and most significant being expansion in the RE sector. Bhargava has served in several departments and plant locations of NTPC, earning him rich experience. He is known for his deep insights on policy, corporate strategy, and energy transition.   Full transcript of the episode is available in English   Presented by 101Reporters   Mohit Bhargava is on LinkedInFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

Climate crisis unfolding in India will first impact our plates! Farms lands, agri commodities, coastal areas are in ten first line of impact from climate change induced extreme weather conditions. Not only does it spike the cost of food, several researchers say it alters its taste and texture too. Close to 60% of India population is dependent on farming as primary employment. Extreme weather is now playing huge role in food inflation in India. To understand what is happening to our food givers and how the Indian economy can cope up, we talked with Sanjeeb Mukherjee, Agriculture Editor, Business Standard. Mukherjee has been a journalist for more than two decades and has been closely covering India's rural, agriculture sector and the food economy. An incisive reporter, Mukherjee regularly travels across the country to understand the changes on the ground, innovations which are making our farmlands better and what the other India outside our cities want.   Full transcript of the episode is available in English   Presented by 101Reporters   Sanjeeb Mukherjee is on Twitter and LinkedInFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

The consecutive G20 presidencies of Indonesia (2022), India (2023), Brazil (2024), and South Africa (2025) has resulted in four consecutive G20 presidencies held by emerging economies. This moment is hailed by many as a grand opportunity for Global South countries to make a push on different topics including on energy transition, and climate action. Collectively, in the climate and energy space, these countries have shown leadership on topics like Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Green Development, Climate Finance & LiFE, Energy Transition and Sustainable Development among others. Can they do more? How much more and what are limits of G2O process?  To understand how G20s works, and how best can it be used for advocating for stronger energy and climate policies by Global South countries, we interviewed Dr. Prabhat Upadhyaya, G20 and Multilateral Advisor, African Climate Foundation.  Prabhat is a leading climate and energy expert who has previously worked with G2O secretariat in India and is currently in South Africa leading work on G20 in South Africa.   Full transcript of the episode is available in English  Presented by 101Reporters Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

With Donald Trump scheduled to take over as the 47th President of the United States of America, there is widespread anxiety on the impact on global climate action. A climate change denier, Trump is a vocal supporter of fossil fuels and in his last tenure made US exit from the Paris Agreement on climate action. It is feared climate financing will take a serious hit. We talked with Anisha Dutta, a New York based investigative journalist focusing on politico-economy to understand the why and how of America electing Trump, the impact it will have on energy transition policies of the US, and the domino effect on climate action and green funding across the globe.  Dutta has been a journalist for over a decade, earlier in New Delhi and now in New York. She has worked with some of the leading newspapers in India - The Hindustan Times as an political and  infra reporter and for The Indian Express as an investigative journalist. Recently she has also reported from war and conflict zones in Northern Iraq. Her recent works have been published in The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Columbia Journalism Review, The Hindu Frontline, among others.   Full transcript of the episode is available in English  Presented by 101Reporters Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube Anisha Dutta is on Twitter and LinkedIn Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

Climate change is already impacting many rural areas of India. Farmers in rural areas of India are facing rise in temperatures and changes in rainfall that negatively impacts production as well as monetary returns. There are many ways to adapt to the impacts of climate change.  One way to assist farmers is the District Agro-met Units (DAMUs), a project of Indian Meteorological department. DAMUs provide free-of-cost weather advisory services, and crucial information related to sowing, use of fertilisers, harvesting and storing crops. Instead of expanding the DAMU, Government of India decided to shut them down. To understand the broader impacts of climate change on farmers, the role of DAMU’s and why government decided to shut them down, we interviewed Rishika Pardikar an Indian environmental journalist and PhD scholar Rakesh Nannewar. Both Rishika and Rakesh have been extensively written about the role and importance of DAMU units.   Full transcript of the episode is available in English  Presented by 101Reporters Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeRishika Pardikar is on Twitter and Rakesh Nannewar is on LinkedIn Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin