Public-Private Partnerships in the U.S.-India Strategic Energy Partnership


In partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry, NBR hosted a virtual discussion on August 17, 2021, featuring Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Power, and featuring special remarks from Dr. Ravi Kota, Minister Economic at the Embassy of India to the United States, as part of the 2021 Pacific Energy Summit Series.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

Roy Kamphausen, The National Bureau of Asian Research
Shuchita Sonalika, Confederation of Indian Industry

SPECIAL REMARKS

Ravi Kota, Embassy of India to the USA

KEYNOTE
Public-Private Partnerships in the U.S.-India Strategic Energy Partnership

Praveer Sinha, Tata Power

MODERATED DISCUSSION

Kurt Glaubitz, Chevron


“It is feasible that India can get to 100% renewable generation, and this is possible through the R&D work in the United States for state-of-the-art technologies. Partnerships would be very helpful for Indian companies, the government, and to help speed up the process of decarbonization.”

Praveer Sinha, Tata Power

Praveer Sinha


“India’s renewable energy sector will create investment opportunities amounting to $80 billion in the next four years. This offers a huge market for U.S. energy companies and an opportunity for U.S.-India PPP.”

Ravi Kota, Embassy of India to the USA

Ravi Kota


Speaker Biographies

Kurt Glaubitz is General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Asia Pacific, Chevron Eurasia Pacific Exploration and Production Co., based in San Ramon, California. In this capacity, he manages government affairs, communications, and social development programs for Chevron’s Upstream presence in the Asia Pacific region. Previously, Kurt was Global Media Relations Manager for Chevron Corporation, where he managed all aspects of media relations for Chevron, the second largest energy company in the United States. During his 15 years with Chevron, Kurt has been Communications Manager for Chevron International Exploration and Production, responsible for all external and internal communications for an international operation that generated more than half the company’s revenue. Kurt has more than 20 years of experience in Public Affairs. Prior to joining Chevron, Kurt was Vice President of Human Resources Communications for Charles Schwab & Co., where he counseled senior management on communications strategy following steep market declines and profit losses. 

Ravi Kota is the Minister Economic at the Embassy of India in Washington D.C. As head of the economic wing, Dr. Kota deals with finance, monetary, investment, and climate issues of India and the United States. In addition to this bilateral relationship, Dr. Kota handles issues relating to the World Bank and IMF. As Minister Economic, he looks after the U.S.-India Energy Cooperation with special focus on renewable energy and LNG. Dr. Kota brings more than 27 years of national and state government leadership experience, focusing on public finance, fiscal practices, and macroeconomic policies. Prior to his current posting, Dr. Kota served as Joint Secretary, Fifteenth Finance Commission, Ministry of Finance with deep knowledge on fiscal issues. Dr. Kota joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1993, working with the Indian Government in rural and tribal areas of Assam. He has served in different Ministries in New Delhi in senior leadership roles in food and agriculture, human resources, urban development, and internal security. Dr. Kota has a PhD in Agronomy and is fluent in Telugu, English, Hindi, Assamese, and Bengali. 

Praveer Sinha is the CEO & Managing Director of The Tata Power Company Limited (TPC, Mumbai), India’s largest integrated power utility. Dr. Sinha has nearly 36 years of experience in Power Generation and Distribution sector in India. Prior to his present role, he had served as the CEO&MD of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), a Public Private Partnership with Delhi Government. He is a qualified Electrical Engineer and has done Master’s in Business Law from National Law University, Bangalore. He has also done his PhD. from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He is a visiting Research Associate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA and is also a distinguished Visiting Scholar at the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Ryerson University, Canada. He is a regular speaker in various forums in India and abroad including World Bank, Niti Aayog, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Rockefeller Foundation. He is also the Co-Chairman of the CII National Committee on Power as also on various Industry bodies. 

About the 2021 Pacific Energy Summit Series

The 2021 Pacific Energy Summit Series explores regional energy and climate cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on U.S. relationships with key partners in the region. Indonesia has long been a leader in Southeast Asia and an important economic and political partner of the United States. Ongoing shifts in energy trade dynamics, climate mitigation ambitions, and policy priorities, particularly in the United States, present an opportune moment to examine and revitalize this bilateral relationship.

This Pacific Energy Summit discussion will convene 25-30 senior stakeholders in government, industry, and academia from across the Indo-Pacific to discuss the priorities, opportunities, and examine new avenues for cooperation amid ongoing changes in policies and strategies between the U.S. and Indonesia. Learn more.