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The webinar, “Harnessing Non-Renewable Energy along the Indian Coasts for Sustainable Development,” is organised by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), in collaboration with The Asia Foundation (TAF), as part of the Indian Coastal Alliance (ICA) project.

INTRODUCTION

India boasts a vast coastline stretching 11,098.81 km, offering immense opportunities for harnessing coastal and marine renewable energy resources. As energy demands rise and climate commitments grow, India is increasingly exploring sustainable energy alternatives such as:

• Offshore Wind Energy

• Tidal Energy

• Wave Energy

• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

Unlike solar and onshore wind, which are already widely developed, marine energy remains largely untapped, despite its enormous potential. India’s commitment to achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 places coastal energy at a pivotal position in the nation’s clean energy transition.

Coastal Energy Potential in India

• Western Coast:
  Characterized by strong and consistent winds, high tidal ranges, and deep waters — ideal for offshore wind and tidal energy. The Gulf of Khambhat and Gulf of Kutch have been identified as high-potential sites for tidal power generation.

• Eastern Coast:
  The coasts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh present favorable conditions for wave energy and OTEC projects due to stable seabeds and consistent wave patterns.

Despite promising potential, India’s marine renewable sector is still in its infancy. Technologies such as tidal energy, offshore wind, wave power, and OTEC remain largely in the research and development phase and face challenges including:

• High implementation costs

• Lack of enabling policies

• Technological constraints

• Limited public and community awareness

Webinar Focus

This webinar will explore actionable strategies to fast-track the development of marine energy along India’s coasts. It will cover:

• Region-specific technologies tailored to India’s diverse coastal geography

• Policy and regulatory frameworks needed for scaling pilot projects

• Balancing energy development with marine ecosystem protection

• Creating livelihood opportunities for coastal communities

• Drawing lessons from global best practices in marine renewable energy

Objectives & Expected Outcomes

• Develop a roadmap for coastal energy development in India

• Formulate policy recommendations for central and state governments

• Encourage technology transfer and public–private partnerships

• Enable investment strategies to mobilize funds into this emerging sector

• Promote climate action, energy security, and blue economy growth

About the Webinar

This webinar on “Harnessing Non-Renewable Energy along the Indian Coasts for Sustainable Development“ will explore these intersecting themes—bringing together diverse voices, expert insights, and field perspectives to shape India’s coastal energy future and contribute to a sustainable, secure, and inclusive blue economy.

This webinar is organised as part of CPPR’s project, “Indian Coastal Alliance: Addressing Traditional and Non-traditional Challenges in the Indian Coastal Region from Regional and National Perspectives”.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

• To analyse policy and regulatory frameworks for coastal energy projects.
• To address environmental and social impacts of coastal energy projects.
• Review the current status of marine energy technologies in the Indian context.
• To develop community engagement and capacity-building strategies

SPEAKERS

Dr Ramu C M

Senior Geopolitical Analyst, APAC Assistance, Singapore

Dr Ramu C M is a geopolitical risk consultant with a multidisciplinary background in geopolitics, political economy, and geology. He holds a PhD in Geopolitics and International Relations, with a research focus on energy infrastructure and resource politics.

As the Senior Geopolitical Analyst at APAC Assistance in Singapore, he advises corporate clients on political and operational risks across the Asia-Pacific and EMEA regions. He also serves as an Advisor with Guidepoint.

Dr Ramu frequently appears as a commentator on leading Middle Eastern broadcast networks, including Sky News Arabia and Bloomberg Asharq. His work continues to engage with pressing security and sustainability challenges shaping the maritime domain.

Professor A Subramanyam Raju

Professor & Head of the Centre for South Asian Studies, Pondicherry University

Adluri Subramanyam Raju is a Professor at the Centre for South Asian Studies and Coordinator of the UGC Centre for Maritime Studies at Pondicherry University, where he was instrumental in establishing the Centre for Maritime Studies. He previously served as the Dean of International Relations and Head of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asia Regional Cooperation.

Over the course of his distinguished academic career, he has received several prestigious awards, including the Mahbub Ul Haq Award (RCSS, Colombo, 2003), Scholar of Peace Award (WISCOMP, New Delhi, 2002), and the Kodikara Award (RCSS, Colombo, 1998). He was also a Salzburg Seminar Fellow in 2006.

Prof. Raju has held several notable positions, including Visiting Fellow at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, Colombo, in May 2012; member of the Steering Committee for the G20 University Connect, appointed by the Ministry of External Affairs and RIS, New Delhi; and member of the Task Force on Blue Economy, FICCI, New Delhi, for two consecutive terms (2021–2023).

He currently serves as the Coordinator of the University Connect Programme (RIS) and is an Honorary Adjunct Fellow at the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), New Delhi. A prolific scholar, he has authored or edited 29 books, published 55 research papers, delivered 90 lectures, and presented 108 papers at national and international conferences and seminars.

MODERATOR

Adithyan Puthen Veettil

Senior Research Associate, International Relations

Adithyan Puthen Veettil is a Consultant, Research in the International Relations vertical at Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi, Kerala, India. He holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, and a Master’s in Advanced International Studies from the Vienna School of International Studies.

He has previously worked at the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), International Anti-Corruption Academy, and the Austrian Economics Center.

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