News Release

IRADe to implement USAID’s South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration Program

New Delhi, October 12, 2012 – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has selected, through a competitive process, the Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe) for the implementation of the South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI) program.  

During this five year program, IRADe team and USAID will work with energy experts, government departments and ministries, businesses, and other agencies to promote regional energy integration and enhance cross-border electricity trade (CBET) in the participating South Asian countries. The project will develop a regional power integration system and South Asian regional electricity market for trading of electricity. To develop a comprehensive road map for boosting power trading among the South Asian countries, three task forces will be established on legal, policy, regulatory, technical, and market aspects of power system integration in the region.

“This program, will not only strengthen the bond between these countries, but also improve the technical expertise in of collaborating agencies, task force members, and in-country partners for integration of power systems. IRADe will pursue a highly consultative and participative approach to strengthen stakeholder capacity, constructively engage with the private sector and establish the ecosystem for the development of electricity markets in the south Asian region.” said Dr. Jyoti Parikh, Executive Director, IRADe.

 “This phase of SARI/EI moves USAID’s South Asia Regional Initiative from promoting energy sector cooperation in South Asia through advocacy and confidence building to an era of advancing cross-border electricity trade and markets. This would enhance long-term energy security of the South Asia region.  USAID, which has supported the earlier phases of SARI/Energy since 2000, will collaborate with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Energy Center in advancing IRADe’s programmatic objectives. ” said  Mr. S. Padmanaban, Senior Energy and Environment Advisor, USAID.

About IRADe:

IRADe, a regional energy think tank headquartered in New Delhi. IRADe is a fully autonomous Advanced Research Institute, which aims to conduct research and Policy Analysis and connect various Stakeholders including Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Corporations, and Academic and Financial Institutions. Its research covers many areas including Energy & Power Systems, Urban Development, Climate Change & Environment, Poverty Alleviation & Gender, Food Security & Agriculture, as well as the Policies that affect these areas.

For additional information please contact:
Er. Rajiv Ratna Panda,   
Project Manager (Energy and Power), IRADe,
rajivpanda@irade.org , +91 11 26676181-Extn-214