Rahul Walawalkar Bids Adieu To IESA, launches NETRA

Rahul Walawalkar, synonymous with IESA or the Indian Energy Storage Alliance for years has launched Net Zero Energy Transition Alliance (NETRA) – A Global Alliance Accelerating the Net-Zero Energy Transition. Based in the US, NETRA seeks to be a global, industry-led nonprofit committed to accelerating the commercialization and manufacturing scale-up of technologies critical to achieving a net-zero emissions future. Operating as a collaborative platform, NETRA will seek to unite policymakers, innovators, investors, corporates, and researchers across continents to drive systemic transformation in the electricity grid, transportation, and industrial sectors.

Launched on the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, NETRA was launched with the International virtual conference “Our Power – Our Planet” on April 22, 2025. Organized in collaboration with EARTHDAY.ORG.

“For many of us who’ve been working on clean energy for over two decades, this is a pivotal moment,” said Dr. Rahul Walawalkar, Founding President of NETRA. “Through NETRA, we are creating a platform that connects the dots between innovation, investment, and implementation—because the future will not wait for us to catch up.”

The newly formed alliance will work on 6 key pillars Such as (1) Policy Advocacy and Regulatory Support, (2) Industry-led R&D and Innovation Collaborations, (3) Market Development and Commercialization: (4) Capacity Building and Skill Development (5) Knowledge Sharing and Networking )6) Access to Capital and Partnerships

The event was opened by the keynote addresses by Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG, and Ashish Khanna, Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). “We’ve always believed Earth Day is a catalyst—not just a celebration,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG. “We are proud to partner with NETRA to amplify the voice of solutions—solutions that are scalable, inclusive, and urgent.”

Ashish Khanna, congratulated the officials of NETRA with the advice that the  new alliance should focus on new and emerging energy technologies and its quick implementation in green energy sector and sustainable mobility space. Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF, Govt of India (India) emphasized on the need of inter-ministerial and global collaboration on innovation, tech transfer, technology pilot and R&D in the renewable and Electric vehicle space. Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA shared the government of India’s plan on renewable Energy capacity addition and the roadmap for energy storage for India.

Organizations like LDES Council, Norway India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI), GH2 India (Green Hydrogen Organization), Australian Microgrid Center of Excellence (AMCoE), UL Research Institute (ULRI) and PIXII, Europe’s 3rd fasted growing energy tech company signed MoU with NETRA and also joined as key Partner and member.

Meanwhile at IESA, Debmalya Sen took over as the new President last month.