Ranchi: In a move that highlights Jharkhand’s ambitions on the global clean energy front, the state government will present its energy transition model during upcoming international visits to Davos, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The delegation will be led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is set to engage with world leaders, investors, and policy experts on avenues for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

This marks a significant milestone for Jharkhand, as Soren will attend the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos from January 18-24, and subsequently travel to the UK to strengthen partnerships and share the state’s approach to renewable energy, industrial decarbonisation, and inclusive energy policy.

Focus on Renewable Energy and Industrial Decarbonisation

According to an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Jharkhand’s energy transition strategy is centered on “responsible diversification.” The plan leverages the state’s existing energy infrastructure while promoting renewable energy deployment, grid modernisation, energy storage, clean fuels, and industrial decarbonisation.

“Through engagements at Davos and the UK, Jharkhand will present an energy transition model that is credible, inclusive, and globally relevant, one that powers economic growth while respecting ecological limits and the aspirations of future generations,” the statement said.

The state emphasizes that energy transitions must be just and inclusive, particularly in regions like Jharkhand, where communities and livelihoods have historically depended on conventional energy sectors. Key elements of the model include worker transition programs, skill development, and active community participation, ensuring that shifts toward cleaner energy strengthen rather than disrupt local economies.

Building on a Legacy of Energy Leadership

Jharkhand has historically been a cornerstone of India’s energy landscape. Its coal reserves, power plants, transmission networks, and industrial hubs—including cities such as Bokaro, Patratu, and Chandrapura—have powered national industrialisation and infrastructure development for decades.

Today, the state is leveraging this legacy to adapt to the global energy paradigm, focusing on clean and low-carbon technologies. By pursuing a balanced pathway, Jharkhand aims to ensure energy security, economic stability, and employment while steadily increasing the share of renewable energy sources in its portfolio.

Strategic Role of Minerals in the Energy Transition

Jharkhand’s rich mineral resources, including materials critical for batteries, renewable energy systems, transmission infrastructure, and clean manufacturing, give it a strategic advantage in the global transition to sustainable energy. The state’s model integrates energy policy with its critical minerals strategy, promoting environmentally responsible extraction, processing, and use of energy resources.

“This positions Jharkhand as a strategic partner in the global energy transition, demonstrating that regions built on traditional energy strengths can lead the shift toward sustainability through industrial experience, policy reform, global partnerships, and ecological consciousness,” the statement noted.

Global Engagements at Davos and in the UK

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Jharkhand will engage with global energy leaders, investors, technology providers, and policy institutions. Discussions are expected to focus on renewable energy investment opportunities, industrial decarbonisation pathways, and mechanisms for financing and deploying clean energy solutions.

Following Davos, Soren will travel to the United Kingdom, where engagements will center on technology transfer, clean energy finance, institutional partnerships, and capacity building, reflecting a shared India–UK commitment to climate action and sustainable growth.

In a historic first, Chief Minister Soren will deliver a special lecture at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, one of the world’s leading public policy institutions. He will be the first Indian Chief Minister to address the school, highlighting Jharkhand’s energy transition as a model for other resource-rich regions seeking to combine economic growth with environmental sustainability.

Looking Ahead: Vision for 2050

The timing of these global engagements coincides with Jharkhand marking 25 years of statehood. The government has emphasized that its energy vision is guided by the philosophy of ‘Growth in Harmony with Nature’, aiming to balance industrial development with ecological preservation.

“The state is demonstrating that regions traditionally reliant on conventional energy can lead the energy transition, using industrial expertise, policy innovation, global partnerships, and a commitment to environmental stewardship,” the statement said.

As global discussions on climate change and energy security intensify, Jharkhand is positioning itself as a leader in responsible, inclusive, and technologically advanced energy solutions, offering a model that other states and countries can learn from.