Session I: Lending to the energy sector - an overview (funders, structures, their policies, etc); Introduction to energy financing - forms, sources, public vs private, methods of siphoning of public funds
Rajesh Kumar from CFA shares an overview of coal financing in India after 2003, the proliferation of private players in power generation, and the role of IFIs, NBFCs, and banks. Priya Darshini from CFA gives an introduction to Non Performing assets (NPA), stressed power assets, the RBI’s role in dealing with NPAs and the controversial Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill.
Session II: Case study - Tata Mundra power plant - Who are the financiers? Impact on the local communities?
In this session, Joy Athialy talks about Tata’s Mundra Ultra Mega Power Plant, situated in the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, in close proximity to Adani Power’s Mundra Thermal Power Project Plant. He voiced the real struggle faced by fishermen and salt pan owners in this region due to these thermal power plants, which have a combined capacity of 8620 MW. He also highlighted how Civil Society Organizations strategised to building a strong international campaign around the issues surrounding this project. This way, he touched upon ways to build a campaign, which was part of our last session.
Session III: Case study - Coal import scam in TN. What is the scam and how was it unearthed?
Jayaram Venkatesh of the Arappor Iyakkam speaks on the coal import scam, which the DRI blew the lid off in 2016. He details how Arappor Iyakkam accessed and collated information from various sources to show that private entities supplying imported coal to TANGEDCO resorted to over-invoicing.
Part IV - Opportunities for intervention, how to build a campaign