Spotlight Session

Policy-Based Loans – Creating Ripples for the Energy Transition

Organized by: Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Thursday, 6 June 2024

2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (GMT +8) | Multi-Function Hall 3

The energy transition in the Asia Pacific region that houses over half of the world’s population requires an unprecedented scale of resources. The unfolding of the transition is significantly impacted by the contours, pace and outcomes of the transition in other parts of the world. ADB is known to finance hard infrastructure projects for the energy transition including solar parks, transmission and distribution infrastructure in its developing member countries. A lesser known but a highly potent tool is the policy-based loan (PBL) that is increasingly gaining attention as ADB attempts to re-invent itself as Asia Pacific’s climate bank and more importantly ensure that the impact of ADB’s interventions are directed and leveraged manifold including in terms of unlocking newer opportunities for private capital to flow. The session will look at how policy choices have unfolded, the impact of policies in one part of the world impacting another and the role policy-based lending instruments can offer to complement efforts for energy transition efforts.

AGENDA

2:00 - 2:05 p.m.

Opening Remarks (Context Setting for the session)

Len George, Principal Energy Specialist, SG-ENE

2:05 - 2:10 p.m.

Remarks on the Challenges facing Asian DMCs

Gurbuz Gonul, Director, Country Engagement and Partnerships, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

2:10 - 2:20 p.m.

Experience Sharing from the Inflation Reduction Act and Outcomes

Navneet Trivedi, Co-founder and COO, Vrinda, Inc.

2:20 - 2:30 p.m.

Experience from the Energy Transition in Europe and Outcomes for ADB DMCs.

Sergio Ugarte, Founder, Sq Consult B.v.

2:30 - 2:35 p.m.

Introduction to the Sri Lanka Case Study

Jaimes Kolantharaj, Principal Energy Specialist, SG-ENE

2:35 - 2:50 p.m.

Country Case Study – Challenges and the Government’s Policy Steps towards Supporting the Transition to Clean Energy Sources

Nalinda Ilangkoon, Chairman, Ceylon Electricity Board

2:50 - 3:25 p.m.

Panel Discussion

Sergio Ugarte, Founder, Sq Consult B.v.

Navneet Trivedi, Co-founder and COO, Vrinda, Inc.

Denzel Hankinson, CEO, DHInfrastructure

Lorraine Akiba, President/CEO of LHA Ventures

Nalinda Ilangkoon, Chairman, Ceylon Electricity Board

3:25 - 3:30 p.m.

Conclusion and Wrap-up

SPEAKERS

Navneet Trivedi

Navneet Trivedi

Co-Founder and COO, Vrinda Inc.

Sergio Ugarte

Sergio Ugarte

Founder, SQ Consult B.V.

Gurbuz Gonul

Gurbuz Gonul

Director, Country Engagement and Partnership, International Renewable Energy Agency

Jaimes Kolantharaj

Jaimes Kolantharaj

Principal Energy Specialist, ADB

Lorraine H. Akiba

Lorraine H. Akiba

President/CEO of LHA Ventures

Denzel Hankinson

Denzel Hankinson

CEO, DHInfrastructure

Len George

Len George

Principal Energy Specialist, ADB

Nalinda Ilangakoon

Nalinda Ilangakoon

Chairman, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Sri Lanka

PRESENTATIONS