Deep Dive Workshop
Inclusive Clean Energy Solutions in South Asia: Reflections from Past Experiences and Lessons for the Future
Friday, 6 June 2025
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (GMT +8)
Technology innovation, a feature of the low-carbon energy transition, combined with improving access to clean energy solutions have provided opportunities to incorporate interventions to enhance gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), pioneered in the ADB South Asia energy sector portfolio over the last ten years. These inclusive clean energy solutions have contributed to local socio-economic development, with the establishment of micro and small enterprises and employment opportunities for women within the energy sector. Many of these projects have become good practice case studies for inclusive energy solutions.
Experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the University of Melbourne, government and others who were involved in this groundbreaking work, including the design and implementation of the good practice projects, will reflect on these experiences in the South Asia energy sector, drawing some key lessons to inform the further development of the ADB portfolio going forward. Case studies of more recent projects with innovative and inclusive energy solutions will also be presented.
This session aims to reflect on the experience of integrating GESI into the ADB energy portfolio in South Asia and highlight key lessons for the energy sector, including replicability and scalability in other regions.
AGENDA
9:00 - 9:10 a.m.
Opening and Introduction
Priyantha Wijayatunga, Senior Director, Energy Sector Group, ADB
9:10 - 9:40 a.m.
Overview: Panel Presentation on Key Lessons
Francesco Tornieri, Principal Social Development Specialist (Social Inclusion), Human and Social Development Sector Office, ADB
Reihana Mohideen, Principal Advisor, Inclusive Energy Transitions, Nossal Institute, University of Melbourne, Australia
Sujata Gupta, Director, Sector Group-Energy (South Asia), ADB
9:40 - 9:50 a.m.
Open Forum
Audience engagement and open discussion
9:50 - 10:02 a.m.
Case Study 1: Maldives: An Inclusive Energy Transition
The ASSURE Project and the Road Map for the Energy Sector
Jaimes Kolantharaj, Principal Energy Specialist, ADB
In September 2023, ADB approved a financing package totalling $50.5 million for the ASSURE Project in the Maldives. This includes a grant of $41.5 million from the Asian Development Fund, a concessional loan of $8.5 million, and a $500,000 grant from the Climate Change Fund. The project aims to expand renewable energy generation and distribution, promoting energy security and sustainability in the Maldives. It’s a cross-sectoral project based on the energy, water, and food nexus. The ADB also supports the Magey solar home program. The Road Map for the energy sector incorporates a GESI mainstreamed domains framework to guide a just energy transition and was launched and published by the government during the COP 29 in Baku in collaboration with ADB.
10:02 - 10:15 a.m.
Case Study 2: Bhutan: Renewable Energy for Climate Resilience Project
This is a $3 million grant for a pilot solar energy project funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR). These projects are helping to enhance energy access and promote climate resilience through small-scale solar systems and large-scale investments in public infrastructure. Bhutan is targeting 500 megawatts of solar capacity by 2025 and 1,000 megawatts by 2030.
10:15 - 10:25 a.m.
Final Open Forum
Final audience Q&A and roundtable discussion
10:25 - 10:30 a.m.
Closing Remarks
Francesco Tornieri, Principal Social Development Specialist (Social Inclusion), Human and Social Development Sector Office, ADB