Need Assessment Study of the South Asia Region

The South Asian region is evolving and growing at an exponential rate in terms of development and economic growth. Hence, it is placed critically in terms of matching the needs of the rising population as well as stabilizing and developing its economy. Agriculture, transport, and building sectors are the three sectors in the South Asian region which play a significant role in the economic development of the region. At the same time, these three sectors are also highly energy intensive. Therefore, it becomes critical to identify the energy requirements and suffice them through various clean energy alternatives, supported by innovative business models.

As an exercise to understand the regional needs to bridge the existing energy gap, the REEEP South Asia Secretariat undertook the need assessment study to understand the scope and potential of the three areas — (i) Food Water energy Nexus, (ii) Net zero/Positive energy Building (PeB), (iii) Sustainable urban transport. countries covered in the study are Bangladesh, Bhutan, india, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Country-specific research was undertaken in these three sectors. Country insights were thoroughly studied in order to map the status of the relevant sectors. Both primary and secondary researches were carried out to identify implementable case studies, national policies, relevant stakeholders such as governmental organizations, multilateral representatives, academics, and research institutes.

The paper provides an insight into the existing scenario of the aforementioned sectors at the country as well as regional levels. This paper has been divided in different sections to give the reader a sequential perspective, starting with a general energy scenario leading to analysis of focal areas. An overall regional-level needs of intervention have also been presented in the end of the study. Some of the identified interventions have been exemplified with the case studies from the region in the end.