Capacity Building Workshop on ‘Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Twinning the Actions in Andhra Pradesh in the context of Clean Energy Transition’
Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), Chennai, in association with the People's Monitoring Group on Electricity Regulation (PMGER), organised a Capacity Building Workshop titled 'Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Twinning Actions in Andhra Pradesh for a Clean Energy Transition' on August 31, 2024, at Siddhartha Law College in Vijayawada District, Andhra Pradesh. This workshop aimed to demystify key aspects of the energy sector that drive the clean energy transition. Its objective was to empower participants with essential knowledge, enabling them to actively engage in the electricity sector. The workshop catered to college students, consumer group representatives, and members of the general public.
Dr.Ch.Divakar Babu, addressing the participants
Dr. Ch. Divakar Babu, Principal of Siddhartha Law College, delivered the inaugural remarks.Dr. Babu stressed the interconnectedness between renewable energy and energy efficiency, underscoring their potential to reduce emissions. He urged participants to engage actively, share experiences, and forge meaningful connections to make the workshop successful.
Bharath Ram, addressing the participants
Mr. Bharath Ram.G.N, Researcher, CAG, provided detailed insights into the organization's initiatives to promote the transition to clean energy in India. He emphasized the efforts to facilitate discussions and capacity building, focusing particularly on Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. Additionally, he delivered a presentation on energy efficiency tips for households to save and conserve energy.
Dr.Thimma Reddy, addressing the participants
Dr. M. Thimma Reddy presented a review of Andhra Pradesh's renewable energy landscape, highlighting its pioneering role. With a total capacity of 25 GW, the state ranks among India's top three in renewable energy capacity. Notable achievements include solar (4.2 GW), wind (4.1 GW), and hydro energy (2.1 GW). Dr. Reddy emphasized initiatives like the Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Policy (2015) and Wind Power Policy (2016) that have enhanced capacity. Innovative models, such as solar parks and floating solar projects, have also driven growth. Dr. Reddy concluded by stressing the need for sustained policy support and technological advancements to achieve Andhra Pradesh's renewable energy goals.
Dr.Narasimha Reddy Donthi, addressing the participants
Dr. Narasimha Reddy Donthi, an expert in public policy emphasised the importance of energy transition in driving sectoral growth in India. He highlighted the crucial role of renewable energy in achieving sustainable development across industry, agriculture, and domestic sectors. Dr. Donthi advocated for the use of solar-powered irrigation systems, energy-efficient pumps, and bioenergy production in agriculture. His insights provided an understanding of the opportunities and challenges in India's energy transition journey and underscored the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to achieve sustainable development.
The workshop ended after a productive discussion, during which participants eagerly asked questions about rooftop solar installations, the advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles, and renewable energy installations for agriculture.