Scaling Norwegian Energy Ventures in the Global South: Opportunities and Challenges
Energy Security in the Global South: role of institutional cooperation and business in building value chains and scaling solutions
The relationship between energy security and energy transition is complex. In the Global South, where access to energy remains a significant issue, the transition to clean energy presents an opportunity for increasing energy security as well. It can lead to diversified energy sources, increased local (decentralized) energy generation and create economic and social impact. At the same time, deploying renewables at scale in the Global South comes with the challenge of assuring reliable energy supply at an affordable price, while avoiding supply chain vulnerabilities as well as environmental and social risks.
The development of energy in the Global South is increasingly shaped by geopolitical shifts and rapid technological change, which create both opportunities and challenges. This workshop will explore innovative pathways to achieve energy security in the Global South while focusing on sustainability and social equity in line with the UN's sustainability development goals. Through interactive discussions with an expert panel, attendees will:
- assess the challenges and opportunities presented by new energy alliances, digitalization, decentralized energy systems, and environmentally friendly energy, and
- explore the role and process of institutional cooperation and businesses in scaling solutions to address these challenges/opportunities.
Invited panelists include: (to be updated later as we get confirmations)
Program
| Time | Topic | Invited panel | Moderator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00–09:10 | Welcome | Petter Støa Gemini Center Global Impact |
|
| Topic 1 | |||
| 09:10–10:10 | Energy Security in the Global South: opportunities and battlegrounds/tensions Why is this important? Key drivers/issues. Distributed versus centralized systems. Technology, institutions, value chains. Discussion. |
Inputs from 3? (TBC) Norad Scatec Norfund NUPI |
Petter Støa |
| 10:10–10:20 | Break | ||
| Topic 2 | |||
| 10:20–11:20 | Role of institutional cooperation Competence development. Appropriate technology. South–South cooperation. Opportunities and challenges. Example: Kathmandu University and NTNU. Discussion. |
Bhola Thapa, Kathmandu University NVE / NORAD / MD (EfD) |
Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug |
| 11:20–11:30 | Break | ||
| Topic 3 | |||
| 11:30–12:30 | Role of business in scaling solutions Building value chains. Opportunities and challenges. Example presentation. Discussion. |
Azam Ali Khan, IIT Roorkee and Norway Energy Partners Gunnar Kristian Gran, CEO, Dynavec AS Jørund Buen, Cofounder Differ / Prime and Director Sustainability, SMN1 (TBC) |
Øystein Widding |
| 12:30–13:00 | Lunch and conclusion | ||
Practical information:
Tuesday 17 March: 9:00 - 13:00
- Moderated presentations and discussion
- Location: Vollan, Studentersamfundet
- Estimated seats: 20-50
- Organisers:
Wolf Ludwig Kuhn (NTNU), Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug (NTNU), Petter Støa (SINTEF Energy), Vivek Sinha (NTNU), Øystein Widding (NTNU)