IREDA CMD Stresses Inclusive Pathways for Green Growth at Global Energy Leaders’ Summit
Mumbai: Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in achieving India’s net-zero goals at the Global Energy Leaders’ Summit in Puri.
Speaking on the panel “Green and Clean: Balancing Ecology & Economy”, Pradip Kumar Das underscored that decarbonisation and energy transition cannot rest solely with national or corporate leaders. He urged participation from states, districts, panchayats, villages, and families to build a holistic ecosystem that balances renewable-energy development with ecological sustainability.
IREDA, India’s largest pure-play green lender, has sanctioned over ₹2.7 lakh crore and disbursed more than ₹1.7 lakh crore nationwide. Pradip Kumar Das noted that strong governance, digital processes, and industry-leading asset quality continue to attract global and domestic climate-finance investors.
He emphasized the role of circular economy practices, carbon markets, biodiversity offsets, and climate finance in driving inclusive growth. Odisha, he said, is well positioned to adopt green hydrogen and metals recycling to produce premium green steel for export, boosting GDP and industrial competitiveness.
Highlighting future opportunities, Pradip Kumar Das pointed to the potential of a “Green Hydrogen Highway” across Odisha, supported by more than 7 MTPA of announced green ammonia capacity and multiple industrial clusters. He also noted Odisha’s forests and mangrove ecosystems as unique assets for carbon market mobilisation through advanced monitoring and digital registries.
Reaffirming IREDA’s commitment, he said the agency has already disbursed over ₹2,400 crore in Odisha, with a loan book of about ₹1,800 crore across hydro, solar, ethanol, and manufacturing projects. IREDA, he added, is ready to finance hydrogen infrastructure, plug-and-play renewable parks, distributed solar, and foreign-currency loans via its GIFT City subsidiary.
“Circularity, climate finance, and nature-positive development must move together. IREDA stands ready to partner with Odisha to deliver sustainable, community-centred growth for the future,” Pradip Kumar Das said.
The summit was attended by Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Principal Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, and senior officials, developers, academics, and researchers. The panel also featured Ms. Lena Backer, former Enforcement Director, Government of Sweden; Prof. Madhavi Srinivasan of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; and was moderated by Dr. Dhruba Purkayastha of the Observer Research Foundation.
Organised by the Government of Odisha in association with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and IIT Kanpur, the summit ran from December 5–7.
