In a significant move to bolster India's renewable energy sector, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur, and ONGC Green Limited formalized a strategic partnership on Saturday. The two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research and policy initiatives aimed at helping the corporation achieve an ambitious 10 GW of green energy capacity by the year 2030.
Strategic Alliance for a Sustainable Future
The MoU was signed by Prof Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM-Nagpur, and Harsh Nupur Joshi, Chief Operating Officer of ONGC Green Limited. This partnership is designed to merge IIM-Nagpur's academic and policy-making prowess with ONGC Green's hands-on operational experience in the renewable energy domain. The signing ceremony was attended by senior faculty from IIM-Nagpur, including Prof Nikunj Kumar Jain and Prof Alok Kumar Singh, as well as Deepak Kumar, General Manager (Electrical) from ONGC.
The collaboration will focus on several critical areas essential for India's energy transition. These include developing robust environmental sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks, integrating renewable energy into existing power systems, and exploring carbon and green credit markets. Additionally, the partnership will delve into energy storage solutions, e-mobility policies, and leadership development programs tailored for the green energy sector.
Powering India's Net-Zero Ambition
ONGC Green Limited, the renewable energy arm of the state-owned Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, is at the forefront of the parent company's plan to establish 10 GW of clean energy capacity. This partnership with a premier management institute is expected to provide substantial academic and policy backing to these efforts, which align with India's broader national goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
"Our aim is to work together to support India's net-zero target by 2070," stated Harsh Nupur Joshi. "We intend to take up projects in energy storage, biofuels, and future energy solutions such as green hydrogen, which is going to be a game changer for India." The partnership will explore projects across solar, wind, and the promising green hydrogen landscape.
Academic Expertise Meets Industry Action
Prof Bhimaraya Metri highlighted the global significance of India's green energy journey. "The world will be watching India's initiatives towards sustainable and green energy. IIM-Nagpur is proud to be associated with ONGC Green in this important national mission," he said. Metri emphasized that through this collaboration, the institute aims to contribute vital research, leadership, and policy insights that can help shape the future of India's energy ecosystem.
This alliance marks a concrete step where academic research is directly channeled to solve real-world industrial and national challenges. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical execution, the IIM Nagpur-ONGC Green partnership is poised to become a model for how educational institutions and corporate entities can collaborate to accelerate the country's sustainable development objectives.
