Pune: The CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) organized the 80th edition of the prestigious Dr R A Mashelkar Endowment Lecture, featuring Mainak Chakraborty, Co-Founder and CEO of GPS Renewables Pvt. Ltd., a leading bioenergy company based in Mumbai.
Delivering his lecture on “Renewable Oil & Gas: How Climate and Energy Security Are Shaping Its Future – and What It Means for All of Us,” Mainak Chakraborty examined the global shift toward renewable energy and its implications for India’s energy independence and climate goals.
Mainak Chakraborty on Renewable Oil, Gas, and the Future of Energy
He emphasized that India imports 85% of its crude oil and 50% of its gas, with gas accounting for only 7% of the total energy mix compared to the global average of 23%.
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By 2030, he projected that India’s gas demand could rise fourfold, underscoring the urgency for domestic renewable alternatives.
Geopolitics, Climate Change, and the “Age of Green Molecules”
Chakraborty noted that the twin forces of geopolitics and climate change are reshaping global energy dynamics. Rising climate risks such as wildfires, hurricanes, and infrastructure damage have intensified volatility in oil and gas supply chains.
In this new era, he said, energy independence has become “the new geopolitical currency.” Introducing the concept of the “Age of Green Molecules,” he explained that multiple renewable fuels are nearing full-scale commercial readiness, with Compressed Biogas (CBG) already achieving cost parity with CNG under India’s SATAT initiative.
Renewable Energy’s Broader Impact
Highlighting the co-benefits of renewable energy, Mainak Chakraborty discussed its role in enhancing rural livelihoods, reducing waste, and improving air quality.
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He emphasized that integrating energy, climate, and agriculture policies can deliver holistic and sustainable societal progress.
The Journey of GPS Renewables and a Message for Entrepreneurs
Sharing the growth story of GPS Renewables, Chakraborty reflected on the company’s early challenges, its innovation-driven journey, and its evolution into a global clean energy enterprise.
He concluded with an inspiring takeaway for innovators: “When everyone digs for gold, you should sell shovels. There is a future for all.”
Event Highlights and Closing Ceremony
The lecture began with welcome remarks from Dr Ashish Lele, Director of CSIR-NCL, followed by a presentation on the “India BioEconomy Report 2025” by Dr Shriram Raghavan, Member of ABLE’s Governing Body.
Dr Premnath Venugopalan, Director, Venture Center, introduced the keynote speaker. Dr. Lele later felicitated Mainak Chakraborty with a shawl, a plant sapling, and a souvenir. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Sarika Maitra Bhattacharyya.
