🌱☀️ 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲!
On 5–6 June 2025, TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute held a series of high-level discussions in West Bengal to explore the potential of
#AgriPV in
#teagardens, with key stakeholders from government, industry, and research institutions. As a knowledge partner, TERI had the privilege of presenting the potential of AgriPV in tea gardens to Mr Md Ghulam Rabbani, Honorable Minister in charge, and Mr Barun Kr Ray, Honorable Additional Chief Secretary, of the NRES Department, Government of West Bengal; Tea Association of India, including esteemed members of the industry such as Mr JC Pande, Goodricke Group Limited; Mr Simon George Lama, Founder Chairman,
@MultistateECoop; Mr Shiv Kumar Sahari, Gopaldhara & Rohini Tea Estates; and Ms Deepita Saxena, Energy Advisor, GIZ India.
The presentation was led by Mr
@Alekhya_Datta , Fellow and Associate Director, and Ms Hemakshi Malik, Research Associate, TERI, who shared insights on harnessing AgriPV potential for energy-intensive
#teaestates across West Bengal, and North Eastern states like Assam, and Sikkim.
Key discussions included:
▪️Addressing
#energyaccess and cost challenges through AgriPV storage solutions (battery/small hydro)
▪️Tariff disparities across regions and financial challenges faced by tea estates
▪️Reviving and reforming net metering for tea estates with agriculture-aligned benefits
▪️Exploring solar thermal applications and solar trees as innovative RE alternatives
▪️Leveraging non-productive tea lands for
#renewableinstallations under the Tourism & Allied Business Policy
▪️Plans to explore small hydro, especially in Sikkim and North Bengal
The Honorable Minister acknowledged the importance of
#netmetering and assured review of key concerns with relevant departments and the Honorable Chief Minister. The sector’s renewable potential was recognized, and tea producers were encouraged to take proactive steps toward
#cleanenergy adoption. On 6 June, the dialogue continued with focused institutional discussions. Mr Alekhya Datta had a productive meeting with Mr S Soundararajan, Director, Tea Board Of India and Mr Joydeep Phukan, Secretary and Principal Officer,
@TRATocklai and Tocklai Tea Research Institute, The Garden Development Team of Tea Board India
These key institutions offered support with TERI’s proposal of a feasibility study and pilot project. The meetings culminated with a site visit to the Castleton House Factory, guided by Mr Vivek Pandey, Manager, Goodricke Group Pvt Ltd., to understand the
#lifecycle of
#teaprocessing and
#energyconsumption patterns for effective solarisation.
This collaborative push marks a significant step toward building a
#greener and more
#energyresilient tea industry in India.
#AgriPV #CleanEnergy #TeaIndustry #SustainableFarming #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #GreenTeaInitiative #SolarIndia #NetZeroIndia