The India Energy Hour Presented by 101Reporters

101Reporters
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The India Energy Hour podcast features in-depth conversations with leading energy, development & climate experts from academia, civil society, & the government. Through these interviews, we explore Indian energy transitions’ most pressing hurdles & promising opportunities. We look at the role that government, financial markets, social movements, & science plays in transition. Co-hosted by Shreya Jai, a leading energy & climate change reporter and Sandeep Pai, an energy transition researcher & author. Contact us at: theindiaenergyhour@gmail.com

  1. Fact Finders in the era of Global Disorder and Climate Crisis | ft. Mitali Mukherjee

    MAR 5

    Fact Finders in the era of Global Disorder and Climate Crisis | ft. Mitali Mukherjee

    At a time when wars dominate headlines, climate disasters intensify, and newsrooms themselves face funding cuts and political pressure , who tells the story, and how, matters more than ever. In a conversation that is both personal and structural, we spoke with Ms. Mitali Mukherjee, Director, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, UK. Having led a distinguished career as a business journalist, and now heading one of the world’s leading centres for journalism research and policy engagement, she brings both newsroom experience and a global institutional perspective to the discussion. Drawing from her experience in India’s broadcast media landscape to the structural shifts reshaping academic and research institutions worldwide, she reflects on what it means to report and research in an era defined by disruption. This conversation looks beyond the daily news cycle to understand the structural forces shaping journalism today. From social defunding and the changing business models of media to the difficulty of sustaining consistent, in-depth climate reporting in an increasingly saturated media environment, we discuss what it takes to support independent journalism and research in uncertain times, and why it continues to matter. Further Reading: • Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism's Climate Change and News Audiences Report 2025 • Climate related projects from our journalist fellows • Samuel Thomas and his project on the farmer herder crisis • Niko Efstathiou and his project on wildfires and misinformation • A paper jointly worked on with Dr Anthony Feinstein on the stress and distress faced by climate change journalists • Details about Mitali’s book Crypto Crimes: Inside India's Best-Kept Secret • The Digital News Report Full transcript of the episode is available in English. Presented by 101Reporters Mitali Mukherjee is on LinkedIn. Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

    54 min
  2. Repurposing Coal Plants: What India Can Learn from South Africa | ft. Dr. Vikesh Rajpaul

    FEB 12

    Repurposing Coal Plants: What India Can Learn from South Africa | ft. Dr. Vikesh Rajpaul

    The repurposing of coal power plants is an underexplored challenge as many countries, including India, strive to achieve net-zero targets. Some countries in the Global South, such as South Africa, have more experience with coal power plant repurposing than India. To understand what Indian coal-fired power plant owners can learn from the South African experience, we interviewed Dr. Vikesh Rajpaul, General Manager, Just Transitions at Eskom Holdings SOC Limited. With over three decades of experience at Eskom—the largest supplier of electricity in South Africa—Dr. Rajpaul has worked across a wide range of functions, including renewables and research. Full transcript of the episode is available in English. Presented by 101Reporters Dr. Vikesh Rajpaul is on LinkedIn. Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

    51 min
  3. What 2026 holds for India's Energy Transition | ft. Richa Mishra

    JAN 29

    What 2026 holds for India's Energy Transition | ft. Richa Mishra

    India’s energy economy has started 2026 on both a chaotic and a promising note. Last year’s storms of trade wars and the disarray of the country’s energy supply chain have spilled into this year as well. But 2025 was also the year India crossed the threshold of 50 per cent non-fossil fuel power generation capacity and took promising steps in nuclear energy. This year has commenced with policy shifts in the long languishing power distribution sector and trade deals with focus on sustainable development.  To guide through this maze of varied developments which would impact India’s energy transition and security, we spoke with Richa Mishra, seasoned energy journalist and author. Ms Mishra has been writing on the energy sector for more than two decades and has first-hand witnessed the evolution of India’s energy sector and has covered notable milestones in her journalistic journey.  She is currently Resident Editor at Hindu Business Line. Ms Mishra also runs a podcast called Energonomics where she unpacks the developments of the oil and gas sector. Her first book Unfilled Barrels: India’s oil story published in 2022 offers a ringside view of India’s oil and gas sector from past to present. Author page of Richa Mishra: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/profile/author/richa-mishra-10928/ Energonomics podcast by Richa Mishra: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0y1IAo9tjT5TiZmuziacoYWd8rjX6dde&si=SzrnSAEKYRy7n2dF Unfilled Barrels: India's Oil story: https://www.bloomsbury.com/in/unfilled-barrels-9789354350283/ Full transcript of the episode is available in English. Presented by 101Reporters Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

    44 min
  4. The Story behind the Podcast: 5 years of TIEH

    12/26/2025

    The Story behind the Podcast: 5 years of TIEH

    As The India Energy Hour completes five years, the hosts come together for a special recap episode reflecting on how the podcast began and how it has evolved alongside India’s energy transition. From the early motivation behind starting the show to the moments that shaped its direction, this episode revisits key milestones from the last five years. The hosts discuss some of the most impactful episodes and conversations, memorable guests, and how listener engagement has influenced the podcast’s journey. The episode also looks ahead to what listeners can expect in the coming year—from new themes to deeper dives into India’s evolving energy and climate trends. A full transcript of the episode is available in English. Presented by 101Reporters Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

    33 min
  5. How Climate Proof are Indian States?  | ft. Abinash Mohanty

    12/12/2025

    How Climate Proof are Indian States?  | ft. Abinash Mohanty

    As climate risks intensify across India, state governments are emerging as critical drivers of climate action, adaptation, and energy transition. In this episode of The India Energy Hour, we explore how states can plan, finance, and implement climate action on the ground. While several state-specific models are in the works, New Delhi–based IPE Global recently unveiled a one-stop Climate Readiness Index for states. This index, which relies on tech-based tools and modelling, aims to provide authoritative guidance to states for building their climate action plans. In this episode, we speak with Abinash Mohanty, Global Sector Head – Climate Change and Sustainability at IPE Global, to understand why such an index is needed, which states face the most urgent risks, and how sub-national plans shape India’s net-zero pathway. Mohanty has nearly two decades of experience working across government, development finance, and policy research. Full transcript of the episode is available in English. Presented by 101Reporters Abinash Mohanty is on LinkedIn and Twitter. Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

    37 min
  6. Pathways to Round the Clock RE in India | ft. Irfan Mohamed

    11/26/2025

    Pathways to Round the Clock RE in India | ft. Irfan Mohamed

    Having committed to the ambitious target net zero by 2070 and 50 per cent energy from green sources, India would need transition planning across sectors. The most important planning would be in the electricity sector which would need to decarbonise faster than any other sector. This transition would depend on India's ability to produce round-the-clock clean energy, or 24/7 carbon free energy (24/7 CFE), at cost and scale to meet the country’s rapid economic development. But it faces the challenge of grid management and conducive energy planning which would integrate renewable energy across the power systems of the country.  To understand one such model of 24/7 CFE, we spoke with Irfan Mohamed, South Asia Analyst at climate analytics nonprofit TransitionZero to delve into the concept of 24/7 CFE and why, according to TransitionZero’s modelling, 24/7 CFE planning and procurement is a ‘no regrets’ option for India’s energy planners, grid operators, and corporates. Irfan is an energy modeller and analyst with multiple years of experience in modelling electricity markets. Before joining TransitionZero, Irfan worked at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero developing decarbonisation policies for the UK. Full transcript of the episode is available in English. Presented by 101Reporters Irfan Mohamed is on LinkedIn. Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

    44 min
  7. Bonds, Banks & the Battle for a Greener India  | ft. Neha Kumar

    11/13/2025

    Bonds, Banks & the Battle for a Greener India  | ft. Neha Kumar

    Achieving a low-carbon economy will require trillions of dollars in new investments across renewable energy, infrastructure, industry, and climate adaptation. As India races toward its clean energy and net-zero goals, one question looms large — where will the money come from? What roles will domestic and international finance play, and how can innovative instruments such as green bonds and blended finance help bridge the gap? In this episode of The India Energy Hour, we speak with Neha Kumar, Head of South Asia at the Climate Bonds Initiative, to unpack the complex and rapidly evolving world of climate finance. Neha, a globally recognized expert on climate finance, shares insights on how India can mobilize capital for its green transition and unlock opportunities for sustainable growth. Full transcript of the episode is available in English. Presented by 101Reporters Neha Kumar is on LinkedIn. Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

    1h 9m
  8. Tracing the Arc of the US–India Energy Cooperation | ft. Richard Rossow

    10/30/2025

    Tracing the Arc of the US–India Energy Cooperation | ft. Richard Rossow

    As India deepens its energy transition and the United States recalibrate its global partnerships, the US–India energy relationship stands at a pivotal moment. From energy  technology collaboration, clean energy supply chains to geopolitical strategy, the partnership is evolving into a key pillar of bilateral engagement shaping both nations’ economic and climate futures. In this episode, we speak with Richard Rossow, Senior Adviser and Chair in India and Emerging Asia Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). We discuss the evolution of the US–India energy ties — from the 2005 Civil Nuclear Agreement to today’s cooperation on clean energy and LNG. Richard unpacks how energy fits into the broader US–India strategic relationship, the growing role of private capital, and what milestones to watch over the next decade in building a resilient, low-carbon future. Full transcript of the episode is available in English. Presented by 101Reporters Richard Rossow is on Twitter Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

    54 min
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The India Energy Hour podcast features in-depth conversations with leading energy, development & climate experts from academia, civil society, & the government. Through these interviews, we explore Indian energy transitions’ most pressing hurdles & promising opportunities. We look at the role that government, financial markets, social movements, & science plays in transition. Co-hosted by Shreya Jai, a leading energy & climate change reporter and Sandeep Pai, an energy transition researcher & author. Contact us at: theindiaenergyhour@gmail.com

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