In this episode of One Big Interview, OBF Co-founder Fahad Moti Khan speaks to IIT Delhi Dean (Planning) Dr. Somnath Baidya Roy. An expert in climate science, renewable energy and land-atmosphere interactions, Dr Roy serves as the Rockefeller Foundation Climate Science and Technology Chair at IIT. He brings a multidisciplinary perspective to India’s energy transition and the choices that could shape India’s next phase of development.
India’s energy demand is set to grow alongside its economy, but Roy argues that the challenge is not simply to produce more power, it is to make energy reliable, affordable, sustainable and accessible. From solar and nuclear to energy storage, grids, geothermal energy and the potential of fusion, he examines the technologies and systems that could shape India’s energy future. The conversation also explores the links between energy, climate, development and equity, asking a fundamental question: what kind of energy systems will India need to power its ambitions in 2047 and beyond?