Scaling Norwegian Energy Ventures in the Global South: Opportunities and Challenges

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.
This workshop is organized and supported by the Gemini Center on Global Impact, a joint initiative between SINTEF and NTNU.

Program

Time Topic Invited panel Moderator
09:00–09:10 Welcome   Petter Støa
Topic 1
09:10–10:10 Energy Security in the Global South: opportunities and battlegrounds/tensions

Partnerships for developing secure energy systems (large-scale) and increasing access to energy (distributed) in Sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on building secure energy supply in a region affected by very diverse conflicts. Perspectives of Norad, industry, investors, and researchers.

  • Are the drivers stronger than the obstacles?
  • What measures can help achieve success?

Inge Harald Vognild
Senior advisor, Section for Energy, Norad
Norad's take on risk related to energy development in SSA

Mulugeta B Zelelew
Multiconsult
Sharing experience from building Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Bhola Thapa
Professor and former Vice Chancellor, Kathmandu University
Sharing experience from building a University during the Maoist Insurgency in Nepal

 Petter Støa
Vice President Research, SINTEF Energy Research
10:10–10:20 Break    
Topic 2
10:20–11:20 Role of institutional cooperation
  • Introduction to NORAD's Energy for Development program
  • Perspectives on institutional cooperation seen from the Global South
  • Institutional collaboration between KU and NTNU
  • Panel discussion and Q&A

Hanne Haukenes
NVE

Bhola Thapa
Professor and former Vice Chancellor, Kathmandu University

Inge Harald Vognild
Norad

 Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug
Professor, NTNU
11:20–11:30 Break    
Topic 3
11:30–12:30 Role of business in scaling solutions

Deploying renewables at scale in the Global South comes with challenges. Actors from the private sector are essential for matching these and can bring both innovations and build the value chains that enable deployment at scale.

  • What are the main challenges that such actors face?
  • What are the areas where private sector actors can have the most effective role in scaling clean energy solutions?
  • What role can Norwegian energy ventures play in these markets?
  • Discussion

Azam Ali Khan
CEO, TIDES Incubator (IIT Roorkee) and Senior Advisor, Norwegian Energy Partners (NORWEP)

Gunnar Kristian Gran
CEO, Dynavec AS

Jørund Buen
Cofounder, Differ Group and Prime

 Øystein Widding
Professor, NTNU
12:30–13:00 Lunch and conclusion    

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 Registration

Scaling Norwegian Energy Ventures in the Global South: Opportunities and Challenges ntois

Practical information:

Tuesday 17 March: 9:00 - 13:00

  • Moderated presentations and discussion
  • Location: Vollan, Studentersamfundet
  • Organisers: Gemini Center on Global Impact, a joint initiative between SINTEF and NTNU

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