Nexant Successfully Completes USAID Technical Assistance Program in India: Creates Strong Ecosystem for Clean Energy

Nexant has announced that it has successfully completed the six-year bilateral Partnership to Advance Clean Energy – Deployment Technical Assistance (PACE-D TA) Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State.

The PACE-D TA Program focused on deploying and scaling up energy efficiency, renewable energy, and cleaner fossil technologies through enabling policy and regulatory frameworks, institutional strengthening, pilot projects, business models, and capacity building of key stakeholders.

We’re thrilled to be making a difference, bringing clean energy to India, and other countries around the world. Nexant’s Government Services group is dedicated to helping developing countries with access to affordable electricity and establishing the building blocks to a sustainable future,” said John Gustafson, CEO of Nexant.

The PACE-D TA Program facilitated nearly 585 MW of renewable energy and leveraged nearly $780 million USD of investment for clean energy in India. The interventions such as interconnection frameworks and standardized bid documents have put in place simple and transparent processes that can be leveraged by stakeholders beyond the Program’s duration.

The PACE-D TA Program was initially for five years but the work done under the Program was highly valued by India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Consequently, the Program was extended by one year to assist eight new states to scale up solar rooftops,” said Matthew Mendis, Senior Vice President, Government Services, Nexant.

One key outcome of the Program was standardized curriculum and training through a network of partner institutions. The Nexant team organized over 200 training workshops to build the capacity of key stakeholders on microfinance, smart grid, and solar rooftop. A skilled workforce will help India design, implement, and monitor its clean energy programs efficiently.

Proof of concept is critical for emerging technologies. The Nexant team supported nearly 20 pilot projects demonstrate the technical and financial viability of clean energy technologies such as smart grid, solar rooftop, solar irrigation, net zero energy buildings and microfinance,” said Matthew Mendis, Senior Vice President, Government Services, Nexant.

Senior USAID and Government of India officials celebrated the achievements of the PACE-D TA Program at a special event in New Delhi on May 17, 2018.

With the closure of the PACE-D TA Program, Nexant has successfully completed its fifth USAID program in the Indian sub-continent, which included South Asia Regional Initiative (SARI) I and II from 2000-2005. We focused on energy development and encouraging the cooperation and trade in energy resources among countries in South Asia.