The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), in collaboration with The Institution of Engineers (India), Goa State Centre, recently organized a landmark workshop on “Renewable Energy Storage: Challenges and Solutions” at the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall, Panaji.
The event brought together industry experts, engineers, policymakers, and business representatives to discuss cutting-edge storage technologies that can strengthen Goa’s energy resilience and sustainability.
Keynote Insights
Mr. Alex Hunter, CEO & Founder of Sherwood Power, UK, presented an innovative clean compressed air energy storage solution, designed to reduce energy costs, stabilize the grid, and enable sustainable industrial growth. Er. Yeshwant Natekar, CEO of JNK Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd., spoke on Clean Technologies, highlighting the importance of environmentally responsible practices in industrial operations.
Notable Remarks from Dignitaries
- Mr. Anwar Khan, Chairman of IEI Goa Centre, underlined the Institution’s 105-year legacy in promoting knowledge-sharing between industry and academia.
- Chief Guest, Mr. Stephen Fernandes, Chief Electrical Engineer, Government of Goa, emphasized the urgent need for independent thinking in addressing Goa’s energy challenges. He stressed the importance of projects like Tamnar and storage solutions to address peak-hour shortages, aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
- Mrs. Pratima Dhond, President of GCCI, noted that Goa’s reliance on imported power increases costs for industries and called for industry-government collaboration to accelerate renewable storage adoption.
- Mr. Gerard D’Mello, Chairman of GCCI Infrastructure Committee, advocated for scalable and sustainable storage technologies, highlighting that the current net-metering system does not guarantee power security during outages.
Engagement & Outcomes
The workshop featured interactive technical sessions, Q&A discussions, and participation from the Goa Electricity Department, GSIDC, industry representatives, and GCCI & IEI members. It concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Er. Prakash Lotlikar.
The event reinforced GCCI and IEI’s shared commitment to fostering innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable energy solutions, positioning Goa to meet future power demands with resilience.
