India takes center stage at G20: Takes charge for decentralised renewable energy and SDG 7

India’s G20 side event in Goa focused on decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) for universal energy access. Experts emphasised DRE’s potential impact and launched a report on good practices for the SDGs.

A side event was recently concluded in Goa as part of the fourth and final Energy Transitions Working Group meeting under India’s G20 Presidency explored the crucial role of Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 – ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

In his inaugural address, Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of the Government of India, emphasised the importance of universal energy access and the significance of DRE in inclusive global energy transitions. He stated, “India is at the forefront of the clean energy transition with strong growth in renewable energy and faster adoption of DRE applications.”

The side-event, hosted by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), focused on how DRE can bridge the energy access gap, both as an alternative and a complement to centralised grid systems. Shri Bhalla urged for global cooperation and cross-learning to enable a transformative approach to address the world’s energy needs.

Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, stressed the urgency of investing in DRE technologies to address the lack of energy access as an emergency. She highlighted that DRE can drive economic growth, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and increase energy production.

Dinesh D. Jagdale, Joint Secretary of MNRE, highlighted that DRE is instrumental in meeting rising energy demands. In 2021, 179 million people gained access to electricity through DRE solutions, a substantial increase from 35 million in 2012. He emphasised the Indian G20 Presidency’s efforts in facilitating the integration of DRE on a larger scale.

During the event, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) launched a report titled ‘Compendium of DRE Good Practices for SDG7’, which examined over 120 DRE cases worldwide. The report provides guidelines for public and private sector leaders to mainstream DRE for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It recommends focusing on long-term policies, engaging communities actively, ensuring accessible and affordable financing, and promoting cross-country partnerships.

Several panel discussions featured sectoral experts from international agencies, industry, finance, academia, and policy-making, who explored ways to accelerate DRE deployment for impacting SDGs and ensure inclusive energy access through collaboration.

The event stressed that a just and inclusive global energy transition requires universal energy access, and DRE technologies offer a promising solution by utilising locally available renewable resources for various energy needs.

As the world works towards achieving the SDGs, India’s focus on DRE and its initiatives under the G20 Presidency will play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and equitable energy future for all.