Important topics like climate risk data, assessing vulnerabilities in power assets, planning for resilience, and investing in strong infrastructure were discussed at the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organized a workshop in New Delhi and Agra.
The objective of the workshop was to strengthen the power sector’s disaster preparedness and management policies to prevent new and reduce disaster risks across the Indo-Pacific.
The event titled “Strengthening Capacity of Power Sector Practitioners in the Indo-Pacific Region” brought together 60 officials and infrastructure experts from 18 Indo-Pacific countries, including the Quad nations. The main goal was to improve how the power sector handles and prepares for disasters.
They also visited sites that demonstrated disaster-resistant power systems. India’s experiences, challenges, and successes in building a resilient power sector were shared.
Amit Prothi, Director General of CDRI, expressed his pride in working with the Indian government. He stressed that the workshop would help share regional knowledge to build stronger power infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific.
Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, Joint Secretary (Americas) at MEA, emphasized the long-term effects of disasters on the power sector. He noted that power plants built today must consider climate change and other hazards to ensure they last for decades.
Ms Suja Menon, Joint Secretary at MEA, spoke about the collaboration between Quad members and CDRI. She stated that this partnership is crucial for reducing physical and climate risks and improving disaster preparedness in the Indo-Pacific.
The Indo-Pacific region faces a high risk of damage to power transmission and distribution due to disasters. The workshop aimed to influence long-term planning to make the power sector more resilient, ultimately protecting lives and livelihoods from future disruptions.