Kolkata Launches Ethens Hub to Guide Coal Regions Towards Clean Energy Future
The Energy Transition Hub for the Eastern and Northeastern States (Ethens), a collaborative initiative between The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) and the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), was officially inaugurated in Kolkata on Thursday. This strategic platform is designed to support regions heavily reliant on coal as they navigate the complex shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy systems.
Addressing Livelihood Risks in Energy Transition
At a high-level roundtable organized by Teri, speakers emphasized that while the global move away from fossil fuels is inevitable, it poses significant risks of livelihood disruptions in states where coal and thermal power generation are economic mainstays. Ethens aims to mitigate these challenges by fostering a just and inclusive transition through comprehensive research, robust policy dialogue, and targeted capacity-building programs.
Vibha Dhawan, Director General of Teri, highlighted the necessity for regional institutional innovation, stating that a one-size-fits-all national approach cannot effectively address the diverse local constraints faced by different areas. Teri distinguished fellow Dipak Dasgupta further underscored the immense renewable energy potential present in the Eastern and Northeastern regions, suggesting a viable path forward.
Policy Support and Equity in Green Energy Growth
Suresh Kumar, Chairman of DVC, called for focused policy support to ensure a fair and sustainable transition. He pointed out that green energy growth has historically been uneven due to discrimination and regional biases in policy frameworks. "But now everybody understands that the Eastern and Northeastern states cannot be left behind," Kumar asserted, stressing the need for equitable development.
Krushna Chana Panigrahy, Director General of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, highlighted the critical role of energy efficiency in reducing intensity and unlocking cost-effective gains, which can complement renewable energy adoption.
Grid Preparedness and International Collaboration
Other speakers at the event, including representatives from the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and Andrew Fleming, UK Deputy High Commissioner for Eastern and Northeastern India, emphasized several key areas for successful energy transition:
- Enhancing grid preparedness to handle intermittent renewable sources.
- Integrating advanced storage solutions to ensure reliability.
- Fostering international collaboration to share best practices and technologies.
Conceived as a Discom-driven, demand-led regional platform, Ethens is positioned to help utilities translate broad national clean energy goals into implementable, region-specific strategies. By addressing both technical and socio-economic dimensions, this initiative seeks to pave the way for a smoother and more equitable energy transformation across India's coal-dependent heartlands.
