The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), in association with The Institution of Engineers (India), Goa State Centre, organized a workshop on “Renewable Energy Storage: Challenges and Solutions” at the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall, Panaji. The event brought together industry experts, engineers, policymakers, and business representatives to discuss cutting-edge solutions in renewable energy storage and clean technologies.
Mr. Alex Hunter, CEO & Founder of Sherwood Power, UK, delivered the keynote address, unveiling an innovative clean compressed air energy storage technology aimed at reducing energy costs, enhancing grid stability, and promoting sustainable growth. Er. Yeshwant Natekar, CEO of JNK Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd., spoke on Clean Technologies, emphasizing environmentally sustainable practices in industrial and commercial operations.
The inaugural session featured remarks from following dignitaries:
Mr. Anwar Khan, Chairman of IEI Goa Centre, outlined the Institution’s legacy of 105 years of engineering service and its role in promoting knowledge-sharing platforms for industry and academia.
Chief Guest, Mr. Stephen Fernandes, Chief Electrical Engineer, Government of Goa, highlighted that “90% of us tend to be followers, but real progress comes from thinking independently and challenging existing assumptions.” He pointed out that although Goa has, on paper, a higher capacity transmission network, in reality operational capacity is less due to technical constraints — making the Tamnar Power Project essential. He lamented the decade-long delay in a project that should have been completed in 18 months, and stressed that storage technologies like compressed air systems could play a vital role in bridging peak-hour shortages. Mr. Fernandes also noted that changing lifestyles and rising temperature mean that even short power cuts cause disruption, making resilience measures critical. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, urging Goa to align its strategies with national targets.
Mrs. Pratima Dhond, President of GCCI, said Goa’s total dependence on imported power puts industries and businesses at a cost disadvantage, especially with peak-hour surcharges. She emphasized that energy security is not just an infrastructure issue but a business competitiveness issue, directly impacting Goa’s ability to attract investment and sustain growth. She lauded the GCCI Infrastructure Committee under Mr. Gerard D’Mello for championing projects like Tamnar and for initiating discussions on future-ready storage solutions. Mrs. Dhond called for stronger industry-government partnerships to accelerate adoption of renewable energy storage and clean technologies, adding that “every megawatt of dependable, stored renewable power is a step towards a greener and more competitive Goa.”
Mr. Gerard D’Mello, Chairman of the GCCI Infrastructure Committee, drew an analogy between the current net-metering system and a bank that decides when customers can withdraw their own money, stressing that “the grid’s terms are not always the business community’s terms.” He underscored that while rooftop solar is an important step, it does not guarantee power security during outages or peak load periods. He urged stakeholders to focus on scalable, environmentally responsible storage solutions rather than relying solely on lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries. Mr. D’Mello added that GCCI’s infrastructure advocacy is guided by practical economics, and that technologies like Mr. Hunter’s compressed air storage could deliver both cost savings and grid resilience for Goa’s industries over the next decade.
The event, moderated by Mr. Agnello Gomes, Past Secretary of IEI, saw active participation from GCCI members, IEI members, engineers from the Electricity Department, GSIDC, and representatives from various Goan industries. The technical sessions were followed by an engaging Q&A session, and the Vote of Thanks by Er. Prakash Lotlikar, Member of GCCI Infrastructure Committee. The event was co-ordinated by Mr. Kiran Ballikar, Director, GCCI.
The workshop received an excellent response, reinforcing the commitment of both GCCI and IEI towards promoting innovative, sustainable, and reliable energy solutions for Goa’s future