– as locals prepare to storm India for first ever global energy innovation summit

A NUMBER of local organisations, businesses and companies are in preparation mode, having been invited to attend India’s first ever global energy innovation summit.
According to President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce Halim Khan, the event, which is expected to shape the future of energy development, is billed for Andhra Pradesh, south-east India from November 28 to 29.

Khan said that with Guyana planning its future around a ‘green’ economy, interested persons will have the opportunity of learning and networking tremendously with officials at the summit.

He said falling oil prices has given renewable sources of energy a competitive edge over conventional sources, and made it possible for developing countries like India to take the lead in adding renewable capacity to its list of achievements.

“This will be a first-of-its-kind summit in the energy sector in a developing country. The event will bring together global experts, investors, incubators and start-ups under one roof,” Khan said.

Andhra Pradesh, he said, has been at the forefront of India’s energy sector, having won it over 20 awards between 2015 and 2017.

He said that from a power deficit of 22.5 million units (MU) per day in 2014, it has not only managed to become a power-surplus state, but to also lower its transmission and distribution losses from 14 per cent to less than 10 per cent within a short time.
“It has not only been able to augment both conventional and renewable energy production, but has also enhanced energy efficiency through massive installation of LED bulbs and solar pump sets,” Khan said, adding:

“The State has now set a challenging vision for the energy sector which includes the setting up of 18 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022; reducing transmission and distribution losses to less than 3 per cent; ensuring electric vehicles on the road by 2023; attracting investments and ensuring 24/7 reliable power supply for all domestic, commercial and industrial users by 2019.”

Khan explained that the summit will bring together energy sector experts from a wide range of organisations, including private sector, international agencies, donors, investors, independent think tanks, research institutions and governments to share technology innovations, best practices and ideas for transforming the energy landscape in the State.
Its overarching vision, he said, is to make Andhra Pradesh the most liveable State for its citizens. Among its key objectives, he said, are to harness relevant cutting-edge technologies to improve the energy landscape; develop an innovation ecosystem for the State’s energy sector, with a focus on startups; attract investments into the State’s energy sector and leverage global best practices to help Andhra Pradesh achieve its energy-sector vision and solve energy-related challenges in the State.