6th Asia Energy Security Summit- India’s future energy imperatives

Goa’s strategic location in western India and its proximity to Mumbai gives it a unique advantage of being an ideal energy hub as well as a landing port for LNG. With India’s economy expected to leapfrog to the next level of growth, Goa plays a critical role in being a future hotspot for energy trading.

Keeping this in mind, the Independent Power Producers Association of India (IPPAI) decided to shift its annual flagship international event the Asia Energy Security Summit (AESS) to Goa.

The event, held from March 1-3, 2016, in Radisson Goa Candolim, focussed on the security of energy assets, an alarming spread of ISIS across the Middle-East, sustained low oil prices, rise in cyber security threats and constant threats related to security of critical energy infrastructure.

The summit also delved on the future of shale gas and its viability in the long run, and focussed on renewable sources of energy especially hydro power generation and promotion of energy efficiency.

AESS brought together representatives from across Asia including government authorities, technical and energy experts, policymakers from energy ministries, senior diplomats, academicians and head of industries to discuss and debate issues relating to the entire energy spectrum, identify prospects, develop solutions and know about major forthcoming issues.

This year, the speakers came together to throw light on the following issues:

• The new geopolitics of energy: developments and changing relations in the Gulf
• Depressed  oil prices: challenges and opportunities
• Asia’s access to energy challenge in the Indian Ocean region
• Regulatory  and policy challenges for cross-border trade of electricity in the SAARC region
• Connecting Tajikistan to Singapore through an integrated grid
• Geopolitics of water, hydro power potential and the possible water related face-offs
• Alternative  energy options for smart cities in Asia
• Protection of critical energy infrastructure from cyber attacks

Talking about the geopolitics in the Gulf region, Mr. Kayhan Barzegar, Director, Institute of Middle East Strategic Studies, said: “The implementation of the nuclear deal and lifting of sanctions from Iran will strengthen multilateralism in Iran’s foreign policy and this opens a new vista of opportunity for both Iranian and Indian companies to start a new generation of joint ventures in energy and related sectors as well as coast-based energy hubs.

With regard to energy security challenges, Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad, Former Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, said that the ongoing turmoil in West Asia constitutes a serious threat to India’s energy security interests and jeopardises its economic links with the region and the welfare of its 8-million strong community.

“In this situation, India did not have the luxury of sitting on the fence while security in the region continued to deteriorate,” said Mr. Ahmad.

He strongly suggested that India should work closely with other Asian countries which had a similar abiding interest in regional stability to work together to promote engagement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the estranged Asian giants in West Asia and promote a collective security framework for the region.

The final day of the summit focussed on issues related to water management for India’s upcoming smart city program. Much like oil, water is fast becoming a scarce commodity, which may trigger flare-ups or even major conflicts in the future. Mr. Mahinder Sethi, Editor, National Institute of Urban Affiars, brought in examples from Asian cities like Singapore where they have succefullly managed to set up efficient water management systems.

Experts also talked about China’s alleged construction of dams on rivers from which many of India’s major rivers like the Brahmaputra originate. Mr. Ajit Nimbalkar (Retired) IAS, Former Chairman, Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority, brought in the regulatory aspect of water management and the various gaps that need to be addressed for regulation to be effective.

This time the event saw considerable participation from the Middle-East including Dr. Mohammed Salih A. Almadi, OPEC Governor for Saudi Arabia.

Other key speakers at the event were Amb. K C Singh, Former Ambassador of India to United Arab Emirates and Iran; General J. J. Singh (Retired), Fmr. Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army and Fmr. Governor of the State of Arunachal Pradesh; Mr. Narendra Taneja, Energy Expert and BJP Leader; Mr. Maulana Mahmood Madani, Former Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha, Government of India; Ms. Sudha Mahalingam, Fmr. Member - PNGRB and National Security Advisory Board, Government of India; and H.E. Mr. Mirzosharif A. Jalolov, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to India.