An expert session on Interstate Transmission System
In a significant step towards Industrial decarbonisation and India’s clean energy transition, a high-level webinar titled “” brought together leading voices from the regulatory, corporate, and energy sectors. Hosted jointly by FirstView Media Ventures’s subsidiary India Net-Zero Alliance, and , the webinar spotlighted the crucial role of the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) and General Network Access (GNA) in enabling corporates to transition to scalable, cost-efficient, and round-the-clock green energy.
The session opened with a compelling keynote by Shri Manish Chaudhari, Joint Chief, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), who emphasized the importance of collaborative platforms that bridge the gap between regulators and the industry. Stressing the regulator’s openness to industry insights, he noted that “forums like this help ensure policies are not only ambitious but also grounded in executional realities.”
A featured highlight of the session was a presentation by Mr. Kartikeya Sharma, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of . Mr. Sharma offered deep insights into how ISTS-enabled power procurement has moved from being a regulatory provision to a viable and scalable business strategy. Drawing on Sunsure’s experience in managing a 7.5 GW renewable energy pipeline, he detailed how the company leverages various PPA models to help businesses achieve their RE100 and Net Zero goals and how game changing ISTS projects can be for large-scale commercial and industrial customers. “ISTS has emerged as a powerful enabler of 24×7 green energy access. It offers unprecedented flexibility and reach for corporates serious about decarbonization,” he remarked.
A dynamic panel discussion followed, moderated by Mr. Kiran Kumar Alla, Director and Senior Fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), which explored the practical, regulatory, and operational dimensions of large-scale green power adoption.
Mr. Prakash Chand Garg, Honorary Principal Advisor, NSEFI, likened ISTS to a national power highway, highlighting its importance in connecting renewable energy-rich states with high-demand industrial clusters. He focused on the need of investment in both central ISTS and state-level (STU) transmission networks to support India’s 500 GW renewable energy ambition.
From an industry user perspective, Mr. Kalyan Bhattacherjee, Chief Sustainability Officer & Vice President – Energy at Jindal Stainless Limited, offered an on-ground view of integrating renewable energy into industrial operations. He underscored the need for simplified policy navigation and shared how ISTS, if made more accessible, could drive real-time ESG transformation.
Adding to the conversation, Mr. Suvendu Kumar Jena, Head – Operations at INOX Air Products, shared insights on structuring long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) under ISTS for industries with consistent energy demand. He emphasized the importance of cost visibility, grid access, and legal diligence in making these deals sustainable.
Mr. Mahesh K Mandwarya, Senior Director – Engineering & Utility at Jubilant Ingrevia Limited, highlighted infrastructure and policy bottlenecks, specifically around delays in GNA allocation and misalignment between state and central authorities. He advocated for harmonized frameworks and faster regulatory clearances to accelerate adoption.
Mr. Sindhu Sharma, Head of ESG at Nxtra by Airtel, added a strategic ESG lens to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of clear, reliable pathways for corporates to act on sustainability commitments. He called for more such collaborative forums to decode policy and provide actionable insights for ESG-aligned energy sourcing. Summing up the session, Mr. Kiran Kumar Alla emphasized the importance of long-term regulatory clarity and stable policies. He proposed conducting a data-driven analysis of how ISTS-enabled procurement affects the industrial sector, which could strengthen the argument for a consistent and reliable green power access framework.
With the ISTS waiver’s expiry in June 2025 and GNA mechanisms gaining momentum, the webinar came at a critical juncture for India’s clean energy transition. Over 250 senior professionals participated — including leaders from core C&I sectors such as cement, steel, automotive, pharma, chemicals, and data centers — alongside influential government bodies, regulatory authorities, and think tanks. Notable attendees included the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), Grid Controller of India Ltd, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN), Power Foundation of India, MAHAGENCO Renewable Energy Ltd, Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), TERI, NITI Aayog, and APERC. Their active involvement reflected the growing urgency—and cross-sectoral momentum—behind corporate renewable energy adoption and long-term access to green power in India.
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