MUMBAI: The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is aiming to raise $100 million by 2028 to finance the digitisation of India’s electricity grids, as part of efforts to modernise infrastructure and accelerate the country’s clean energy transition.
Speaking at Mumbai Climate Week, GEAPP Chief Executive Officer Woochong Um said the alliance plans to approach development finance institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for support.
GEAPP — a philanthropic initiative backed by the The Rockefeller Foundation, the IKEA Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund — has already deployed $25 million to digitise power grids in the states of Rajasthan and Delhi. The proposed fund would support a broader nationwide rollout, targeting at least 15 utilities by 2028.
Enabling Renewable Integration
Grid digitisation involves transforming conventional electricity networks into automated systems powered by artificial intelligence. The shift enhances reliability, enables large-scale integration of renewable energy, and allows real-time monitoring of supply and demand — reducing both operational costs and emissions.
India has set ambitious climate goals, including cutting emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The country also aims to install 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030, in line with its COP26 commitments, and to source 50% of cumulative power capacity from non-fossil fuels.
However, experts caution that meeting these targets could prove challenging amid India’s rapid economic expansion and rising electricity demand.
Um noted that while global philanthropies and multilateral lenders are keen to support the energy transition, a shortage of bankable projects remains a key constraint.
“There are plenty of concepts, but not enough investable projects,” he said, underscoring the need for structured, scalable grid modernisation initiatives.
The planned fund is expected to strengthen India’s power infrastructure, support renewable energy integration, and advance long-term climate resilience.
