Seetharaman received the award during the 8th World Renewable Energy Technology Congress & Expo 2017, which runs until tomorrow at the Convention Centre — NDCC, New Delhi, India.
The Doha Bank official was honoured for his “vision, leadership, outstanding contribution, and for demonstrating excellence in the renewable energy sector.” He received the award from Piyush Goyal, Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines in the Government of India.
Goyal said the award acknowledges Seetharaman’s efforts through Doha Bank in various renewable energy projects as part of a sustainable development philosophy.
The other recipients of the global excellence award include Dr Martin Keller, director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, US Department of Energy; Dolf Gielen, director, Innovation and Technology Centre, International Renewable Energy Agency (Germany); Dr Lawrence E Jones, vice-president, International Programmes, Edison Electric Institute, (US); and Pranav R Mehta, chairman, National Solar Energy Federation of India.
The event, which carries the theme ‘Renewable Energy: Global Cooperation for Sustainability’, gathered participants from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, the UK and US, apart from key executives of renewable energy companies.
Seetharaman also participated in the plenary session titled ‘Innovative Financing of Renewable Energy Projects’ and highlighted on the effects of global warming.
“The main causes of global warming include increasing population relying on limited resources, increased energy needs, increased industrial pollutants and low use of renewable and less polluting energy resources,” he said.
He added: “China is the world’s biggest emitter, responsible for 29% of global emissions in 2015. As the second biggest emitter, the US is responsible for 15% of global emissions in 2015.
“The EU is the world’s third largest emitter, responsible for 10% of global CO2 emissions in 2015 and India contributes 6.3% of global emissions. The hurricanes and typhoons in recent years due to adverse climate change include Hurricane Bertha, Hurricane Kathe, Typhoon Goni, and Typhoon Sarika and the abnormal ‘El Nino’ in Peru this year.”
Seetharaman also highlighted renewable energy trends in Qatar.
“Chevron launched its Centre for Sustainable Energy Efficiency at the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). In April 2011, the US Department of Energy and QSTP have signed a memorandum of understanding for clean energy technologies.
“In May 2012, Qatar Solar Technologies has signed agreement with the Qatar Electricity & Water Company to explore the possibilities of developing power generation using solar energy in Qatar,” he said.
