Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a subsidiary of state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) along with World Resources Institute India (WRI India) will be organising a first-of-its kind two-day international conference on Sustainable and Innovative Finance for Green and Healthy Transportation – INSIGHT 2022 – on September 15th and 16th in New Delhi.
The conference will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari. Union Minister of Heavy Industries Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Delhi Cabinet Minister for Transport & Revenue, Shri Kailash Gahlot and Sherpa for India’s Presidency at G20, Shri Amitabh Kant, will also be present at the inaugural session.
The two-day event will host international and national delegates where the discussions will focus on the financial needs of implementing public mobility projects at scale – including debt and equit considerations, the role of subsidies if any, the role of Government, electricity needs, charging infrastructure and the use of green power for a green transport system for the country.
INSIGHT 2022 is an outcome of NITI Aayog’s mandate to CESL to implement a National Electric Bus Programme for 50,000 electric buses in the country. Previously, CESL executed the largest ever e-bus tender – The Grand Challenge for deployment of 5,450 buses in 5 cities.
Announcing INSIGHT 2022, Mahua Acharya, MD & CEO, Convergence Energy Services Limited CESL said, “Connectivity and electric mobility is an important theme of the government’s development model, and CESL is spearheading this goal by leading the initiative of green public mobility in India. There is an important role for all to play here – financial institutions, the Government, lenders, OEMs and regulators. All need to come together to help build this ecosystem for the country.”
She further added, “To accelerate adoption of electric vehicles and ease range anxiety of end users, CESL is also working with the government to launch a one-stop solution to provide information on location and availability of vehicle charging stations. Through INSIGHT 2022, CESL seeks to provide the space for debate and discussion by creating this convening of the best minds in mobility solutions in India. I believe that the collective effort of diverse industries and diverse thoughts can accelerate India’s path to a sustainable future.”
Dr. OP Agarwal, CEO, WRI India opined, “Large scale transition to e-buses has achieved price parity – as clearly demonstrated by the Grand Challenge. While Indian cities plan to procure 50,000 e-buses, we need to be prepared with watertight risk mitigation measures and sustainable and innovative funding avenues. INSIGHT 2022 aims to explore such pathways to provide a seamless e-bus experience for public bus agencies in the country.
Some of the most prominent dignitaries/speakers who will be addressing the two-day conference include:
- Erik Solheim, Former head of UNEP; Former Minister of International Development and Minister of Environment, Norway
- Mohamed Hegazy, Road Sector Co-Lead, UNFCCC Climate Champion, Egypt