Skip to main content

BONUS: Solving Community, Compliance, and Permitting Challenges in Solar

Hosted by: Phil Dillard

In this bonus episode, Host Angie Dickson, President of the Inogen Alliance and EVP of Antea Group USA, speaks with Sasikumar, Senior Leader at Chola Risk Services in India. Sasikumar shares a real-world case study from a 750 MW solar project that faced significant regulatory, permitting, and community challenges mid-development. The conversation highlights the blocks and bottlenecks they faced, and how they were overcome.
Podcast

Get notified about new podcast episodes

Listen now on:

Listen on

Apple Podcasts

Watch on

YouTube

Image
M Sasikumar

M Sasikumar

Chola MS Risk - India

M Sasikumar holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering with a Masters degree in Business Management and Dip in Industrial Safety. Sasi has over 25 years of experience both in industrial, process plants and projects. He has carried out safety audit / studies for buildings, cement plants, refinery, pharma, petro chemical industries and commercial complex. He has carried out numerous training programs for various clients in the filed of ESA, lighting protection, Hazardous Area.

Sasikumar is one among the 4 IEC Ex certified engineer in India for hazardous area classification is he is also a Level 1 Certified Thermographer by Infrared Training Centre (ITC), Sweden and is trained in Thermal imaging and related analytical techniques. He has been a visiting facility for Chennai Petroleum Engineers’ Training School, Chennai and other industrial plants like Integral Coach Factory.

Currently he is working as CMO & Head - Audit and Assurance at Cholamandalam MS Risk Services Ltd, Chennai, a JV between Murugappa group and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance group of Japan

Image
Angelique Dickson

Angelique Dickson, President of Inogen Alliance

Angie has over 20 years of global management and consulting experience, focused on complex projects and services that promote business sustainability. She pursues her commitment to creating a safer, cleaner and more sustainable world through dual roles. She serves as a Executive Vice President of Antea Group USA, an international environmental consulting firm, where she works with name brand companies.

She also serves as the president of the Inogen Alliance, a tight-knit, global group of EHS and sustainability consultancies, bound by a common commitment to solve some of the greatest challenges that global organizations face today. Through this role, she has the opportunity to collaborate with 6,000 consultants in over 70 countries, giving her unique insight into the world of EHS, and into how we need to rethink our strategies to achieve global goals.

Guest Quote

“ This solar project is uh, for capacity of seven 50 megawatt, which was in a central part of India, which was taken up by one of large corporate in India. And what had happened over that was they had some issues related to regulations, local agitations from the village, and they came to us.” - Sasikumar

 

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to the Energy Transition Bonus Case Study
 00:45 Overview of the 750 MW Solar Project in Central India
 01:55 Regulatory, Forest Zone, and Water Body Constraints
 03:45 Community Resistance and Public Hearing Challenges
 04:55 Addressing Livelihood Concerns and Misconceptions About Solar Heat
 05:45 Education, Safety Communication, and Local Language Engagement
 06:25 Design Changes: Pathways, Access, and Infrastructure Adjustments
 07:30 Key Lessons: Compliance, Planning, and Stakeholder Trust
 08:10 How the Project Shaped Future Solar Developments

← All Podcasts
Related Materials