Delhi is abuzz with the opening of Global RE-Invest 2018, the second renewable energy-financing summit organized by the Indian government. Expanding the development and deployment of solar energy in emerging economies is a main objective with RE-Invest 2018, which also hosts the first assembly of the International Solar Alliance and the Meeting of the Energy Ministers of Indian Ocean Rim Association countries.
A major theme during RE-Invest will be deploying innovative financing tools, such as “green windows”, that will grow investment for renewables, especially for underserved and emerging markets, such as rooftop solar and battery storage technologies.
With Prime Minister Modi inaugurating and over 10,000 delegates from 75 countries in attendance, Delhi is the epicenter for international financiers, policy experts and industry heads exploring innovative ways to attract needed financing - enough to support India’s renewable energy targets, including 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2022 and beyond.
New Finance Report
A new report released at RE-Invest, Clean Energy for All, Framework for Catalytic Finance for Underserved Clean Energy Markets in India presents research and a framework for catalytic finance that would help achieve India’s goal to dramatically ramp-up solar and wind energy. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) released the report during RE-Invest in New Delhi today.
The new report outlines the need for financing instruments and institutional mechanisms that jumpstart the clean energy expansion. These solutions could attract much needed low-cost finance for clean energy projects and open the market to India’s huge clean energy potential, while also helping achieve climate goals. Catalytic finance and new tools, such as “green windows” can help grow clean energy markets to power the growing economy.
NRDC Experts at RE-Invest
Key NRDC experts will be discussing innovative financing solutions during these sessions:
- U.S.-India Clean Energy Finance Task Force: Investors Round Table on AIF - Poonam Sandhu, NRDC Senior Finance and Management Consultant speaking.
- ISA-GGGI Solar Project Finance: Mobilising International Funding For Green Projects - Douglass Sims, NRDC Director of the Center for Market Innovation speaking.
- Agora Partnerships Session: Cean Energy for All - A Framework for Catalytic Finance for Underserved Clean Energy Markets – Sameer Kwatra, NRDC Policy and Climate Analyst speaking.
- Technical Session: Financing Challenges – Douglass Sims, NRDC Director of the Center for Market Innovation speaking.
- Special Session: Start-Ups with Yes Bank and IIM-Ahmedabad – Jake Schmidt, NRDC Managing Director speaking.
The potential for India to become the largest clean energy market in the world is real and now. The conference this week, RE-Invest 2018, will showcase that potential to the world and the financing solutions needed to achieve it. However, India’s renewable energy ambitions and climate commitments are counting on it.