Pradip Kumar Das, CMD of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), underlined the need for data-driven policy and bankable financing solutions to ensure an inclusive energy transition, while speaking at two panel discussions during India Energy Week 2026 held in Goa.
Addressing the panel titled “Empowering Economic Policy with Energy Data: Steering India’s Growth towards Viksit Bharat,” Das said that the vision of Viksit Bharat would be realised not through slogans, but through reliable data, realistic policymaking and patient capital. He emphasised that energy data has evolved beyond being a technical input and now serves as a strategic economic instrument shaping investment decisions, pricing mechanisms and policy frameworks.
Highlighting IREDA’s financing philosophy, Das said the institution focuses on directing capital not only to large-scale infrastructure projects but also to decentralised and community-level energy solutions. “This approach makes the energy transition inclusive, durable and sustainable,” he noted, adding that institutions like IREDA play a critical role in translating India’s clean energy vision into bankable reality by aligning growth with sustainability and affordability.
In another panel discussion on “Startup Climate Technology Innovations: From R&D Margins to Market Mainstream,” the IREDA CMD outlined the agency’s role in strengthening India’s clean energy financial ecosystem. He said IREDA was conceived not merely as a lender, but as a sector-focused financial institution mandated to deepen clean energy markets and reduce the cost of capital.
Through long-tenor, sector-aligned debt, standardised appraisal frameworks and co-lending arrangements with banks, IREDA has helped scale up mainstream renewable energy segments such as solar, wind and hydropower. At the same time, it has supported distributed energy initiatives including rooftop solar and the PM-KUSUM scheme through an aggregator-based financing model.
Das further noted that IREDA’s role has expanded beyond financing mature assets to enabling emerging clean energy sectors. He cited early-stage support for pumped storage hydropower projects and structured financing for green hydrogen and green ammonia initiatives, with funding linked to phased commissioning and evolving offtake arrangements.
His remarks underscored the growing importance of specialised financial institutions in ensuring that India’s energy transition remains inclusive, financially viable and aligned with long-term national development goals.
