IGEN Access-II provided technical assistance to the West Bengal government in developing the State Energy Action Plan, under the MoU signed by GIZ and Dept of Power & NES. This multi-sectoral energy plan utilises energy modelling tools to develop several optimised energy scenarios for the state by the year 2040. A menu-driven Decision Support Tool (DST), linked with modelling software and the state energy database, has been developed for key decision-makers.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Minister-in-Charge, Government of West Bengal; Mr. Sunil Gupta, ACS-Power; Mr. Santanu Basu, CMD-WBSEDCL; Dr. P.B. Salim, CMD-WBPDCL; Dr. Biswas, Commissioner-Power; and Mr. Debasish Bandopadhyay, CEO-WBSEDCL. Dr. Winfried Damm, Ms. Nidhi Sarin and Mr. Manoj Mahata represented GIZ India. 

Mr. Mahata presented a summary of the Energy Action Plan and subsequently elaborated on the unique features of the process as well as key recommendations. Hon’ble Minister acknowledged GIZ’s efforts in developing the West Bengal Energy Action Plan. Mr. Chattopadhyay also showed his willingness to mainstream scientific modelling process, besides implementing a few critical recommendations in consultation with the respective departments as well as other key stakeholders. 
Mr. Gupta assured that a steering committee meeting would be organised to share EAP recommendations with other departments, and sought further support from GIZ in order to implement key recommendations. Dr. Damm expressed interest in exploring further opportunities for cooperation.

For more details, please contact Mr. Manoj Mahata at manoj.mahata@giz.de.