EKI envisions a net-zero world where sustainability is integral to all human activities, and technological advancements harmoniously coexist with environmental preservation. The company believes that by leading through example and empowering communities to take collective positive actions, a low-carbon, sustainable world can be achieved, says Manish Dabkara, Chairman and Managing Director, EKI Energy Services and President Carbon Markets Association of India in an interview with EVolution Auto India.
Q: EKI Energy Services Limited has been working in the realm of climate change, carbon offsets and sustainability for more than a decade. Please brief us on the solutions provided by the company along with its vision and mission.
Manish Dabkara: EKI Energy Services Limited (EKI), formerly known as EnKing International, has been a prominent player in the climate sector for over 15 years. EKI has established itself as a leading carbon credit developer and supplier, serving over 3,500 clients across more than 40 countries.
Vision and Mission
EKI envisions a net-zero world where sustainability is integral to all human activities, and technological advancements harmoniously coexist with environmental preservation. The company believes that by leading through example and empowering communities to take collective positive actions, a low-carbon, sustainable world can be achieved. EKI’s mission is to guide the world towards net zero by offering comprehensive climate-positive, community-based projects and nature-based solutions.
Solutions Offered
EKI provides a diverse array of services aimed at combating climate change and promoting sustainability:
Sustainability & Net Zero Services: EKI offers climate change advisory, sustainability and ESG services, sustainable supply chain solutions, and green certification and resource efficiency services to assist businesses in achieving their climate goals.
Climate Investments: The company invests strategically in initiatives that promote nature restoration and community development, including community-based projects, nature-based solutions, and energy efficiency projects under the Energy Service Company (ESCO) model.
Carbon Offsetting: EKI supports organizations in achieving carbon neutrality, net-zero emissions, or plastic neutrality through carbon avoidance and removal projects, extended producer responsibility (EPR) and plastic credits projects, and green power or renewable energy attribute certificate projects.
Carbon Markets Capacity Building Advisory: The company provides guidance on the operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, carbon budgets and stock-taking, and internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMO), helping clients navigate the complexities of carbon markets.
Offsets Portfolio Management Services: EKI assists clients in managing portfolios of carbon offsets, renewable energy attribute certificates (EACs), and EPR and plastic credits projects, ensuring alignment with sustainability objectives.
Through these comprehensive services, EKI aims to lead the global transition towards a sustainable, net-zero future.
Q: What have been the achievements of EKI specifically in the renewable energy, fuel switching and electric mobility sectors?
Manish Dabkara: EKI has made notable strides in promoting sustainability across various sectors, including renewable energy, fuel switching, and electric mobility. While specific achievements in fuel switching and electric mobility cannot be shared due to non-disclosure agreements, EKI’s broader initiatives reflect a commitment to these areas.
Renewable Energy Initiatives
EKI has been actively involved in renewable energy projects, particularly in collaboration with global partners. An example is our association with SB Energy, a subsidiary of the SoftBank Group. SB Energy focuses on generating power using natural energy sources and integrates renewable energy with AI and IoT to build advanced energy platforms. Their mobility business combines renewable energy with electric vehicle (EV) battery technology to develop innovative services. EKI’s involvement in such projects underscores their dedication to advancing renewable energy solutions.
Fuel Switching Efforts
EKI’s overarching mission to guide the world towards net-zero emissions encompasses initiatives that likely involve transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy alternatives. Our investments in nature-based solutions and energy efficiency projects align with global efforts to reduce reliance on traditional fuels.
Electric Mobility Contributions
EKI’s engagement with SB Energy’s mobility business, which integrates renewable energy with electric vehicle (EV) battery technology, indicates their support for the advancement of electric mobility solutions. This collaboration reflects EKI’s commitment to sustainable transportation initiatives.
EKI has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability through its involvement in renewable energy projects and support for electric mobility advancements. EKI’s broader sustainability efforts contribute to global climate goals.
Q: EKI has been at the forefront of driving awareness and influencing policy discussions related to green hydrogen. What are your thoughts on the potential of green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source, and how do you see it contributing to the future of clean transportation?
Manish Dabkara: Green hydrogen holds immense potential as a sustainable fuel source, and at EKI Energy Services Ltd., we see it as a game-changer in the global transition to clean energy. As a zero-emission fuel produced using renewable energy sources, green hydrogen can play a pivotal role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, particularly transportation, heavy industry, and power generation.
In the clean transportation sector, green hydrogen offers a viable alternative to fossil fuels, particularly for long-haul trucking, shipping, aviation, and rail transport, where battery-electric solutions face limitations due to energy density and refueling constraints. Hydrogen fuel cells provide quick refueling, longer range, and high energy efficiency, making them ideal for commercial and heavy-duty transport applications.
Policy support and infrastructure development will be critical in scaling up green hydrogen adoption. EKI has been actively involved in policy advocacy, market development, and industry collaborations to accelerate the integration of green hydrogen into India’s clean energy roadmap. By facilitating carbon credit mechanisms, renewable energy integration, and global partnerships, we aim to create a robust ecosystem for green hydrogen production and utilization.
With India targeting 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production by 2030, we see enormous potential for hydrogen-based mobility solutions to contribute to the country’s net-zero vision. As the industry matures, EKI is committed to supporting businesses and policymakers in realizing the full potential of green hydrogen as a cornerstone of sustainable energy and transportation.
Q: Please elaborate on the types of projects EKI Energy Services is currently involved in. What have been the other recent developments at the company?
Manish Dabkara: Some of the current projects by EKI Energy Services:
Floating Solar Energy: EKI has registered a 24.7 MW floating solar project under the voluntary carbon market (VCM). Developed by Greenam Energy for captive usage, this project is notably the first of its kind to be registered under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) globally.
Clean Cooking Initiatives: The Company has expanded its clean cooking projects, particularly in African countries, where it received authorization to distribute an additional 25,000 low-emission cookstoves and India’s tribal and underprivileged regions. This effort aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable cooking practices in rural communities. EKI is also distributing indoor solar cooking devices, Surya Nutan, manufactured in association with IOCL.
Climate Investments: EKI is involved in strategic climate investments, including community-based projects, nature-based solutions, and energy efficiency initiatives. These projects focus on nature restoration and community upliftment, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Recent Developments: EKI has committed to reducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent by 2030, using 2023 as the base year. This target aligns with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) standards, underscoring the company’s dedication to mitigating climate change.
The company has entered into a strategic agreement with Aviation Resource Group International (ARGI) to enhance its carbon credit trading and sustainability services across North America. This partnership aims to strengthen EKI’s footprint in the region and promote sustainable practices within the aviation industry.
There are ongoing challenges in the capital goods sector and unstable policies by bodies like ICVCM. The company has acknowledged these challenges and is actively working to address them through strategic initiatives and operational improvements.
Through these projects and developments, EKI continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental sustainability and its role as a leader in the carbon credit and sustainability sectors.
Q: EKI Energy Services recently secured Gates Foundation grant for solar cooker distribution. How do you envision the grant for solar cooker distribution helping EKI Energy Services in advancing its mission? What impact do you expect it to have on promoting sustainable energy solutions in underserved communities?
Manish Dabkara: Securing the pilot grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for the distribution of ‘Surya Nutan’ solar cookers marks a big advancement in EKI Energy Services Ltd.’s mission to promote sustainable energy solutions. This initiative not only aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship but also underscores our dedication to improving the quality of life in underserved communities.
Advancing EKI’s Mission
The grant facilitates the deployment of ‘Surya Nutan’ solar cooking devices, developed in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), across select districts in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. These regions, characterized by tribal and underprivileged populations, often rely on traditional biomass for cooking, leading to deforestation and health hazards from indoor air pollution. By introducing solar cookers, EKI aims to:
Reduce Carbon Emissions: Transitioning from biomass to solar energy for cooking significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.
Enhance Health Outcomes: Eliminating indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods reduces respiratory ailments, thereby improving public health.
Empower Communities: Access to sustainable cooking solutions alleviates the time and labor associated with fuel collection, enabling communities to engage in educational and economic activities.
Impact on Sustainable Energy Solutions
The implementation of the ‘Surya Nutan’ project is anticipated to have a transformative impact on promoting sustainable energy in underserved areas:
Scalability: Successful deployment in the pilot regions can serve as a model for broader adoption, encouraging policy support and investment in renewable energy technologies.
Economic Development: Local manufacturing and distribution of solar cookers can stimulate job creation and skill development, fostering economic growth within these communities.
Environmental Conservation: Reducing dependence on wood for cooking preserves forests and maintains biodiversity and ecosystem services vital for environmental health.
Q: Can you share insights into your company’s current geographical footprint and what expansion plans you have for the future, particularly in emerging markets with growing demand for clean energy and clean mobility solutions?
Manish Dabkara: EKI has a presence in more than 40 countries currently (in terms of projects). We are expanding our clean cooking initiative to more African and Caribbean countries like Ghana, Malawi, Senegal, and Haiti. The projects will generate carbon credits under Article 6 methodologies (particularly Article 6.2 and 6.4) and avoid emissions by hundreds of thousands of tonnes across these countries.
Our current geopolitical footprints are in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, UAE, Turkey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Kenya, Indonesia, Brazil, Chile, Qatar, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Malawi, Mongolia, Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, etc.
Q: Is there any upcoming project that EKI Energy Services is particularly excited about?
Manish Dabkara: We are in the process of aggregating Article 6 projects in clean cooking in India and the African continent. We are also focusing on consulting on Article 6 projects and other clean energy technologies in India and abroad.