The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur has taken a big step towards the goal of energy transition, against the backdrop of blatant coal shortage in the country. The premier institute inked an MoU with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in the United States to implement a smart energy shift. On the national front, the association will power through Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.

An agreement has been signed between the Just Transition Research Centre (JTRC) at IIT-K and the Energy Security and Climate Change (ESCC) programme of the CSIS to leap toward the process of shifting to an improved and efficient energy system. The idea is to develop a standard-appropriate policy that pitches alternative energy resources to meet the demands of the present as well as the future.

The MoU signed between IIT Kanpur and CSIS will pave way for bilateral meetings and workshops between stakeholders from coal-dependent states and provinces in India, the United States and South Africa with senior officials. Additionally, it will help open an integrated international channel to access resources and connect with officials for a coordinated transition.

The move is touted to open over 20 million job opportunities in several revenue models, for over 50 districts and 6 states in India, alone. However, it may also have a significant impact on the local welfare schemes as well, making the process of transition complex. An authenticated road map, as such is essential to drive the procedure and social dialogues between stakeholders.