Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation

What Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation does

Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation is a New Delhi-based Section 25 non-profit foundation, registered on October 5, 2009, that operates as a philanthropic policy enabler for India's clean energy and climate transition. The foundation works with national, state, and city-level government bodies (notably NITI Aayog, MNRE, state pollution control boards, and municipal corporations), civil society organisations, research institutions, and industry to originate and scale energy system interventions. Its work is structured around thematic programmes including Clean Power (High Renewable Energy Pathways, Energy Access for Development), Climate Policy (Air Quality, Climate Resilience, Cities and Climate Action, Net Zero Modelling), Climate Finance, Electric Mobility, Industry/Buildings/Cooling, Critical Raw Materials, Sustainable Agriculture, and the Climate Insights research unit. The ACCLIMATE Challenge Fund, RISE Programme with MNRE, and the Remote Sensing Programme for vehicle emissions are flagship initiatives.

The foundation's technology stack centres on policy research, climate and energy systems modelling, geospatial energy mapping (via the ICEMF collaboration with NITI Aayog), emissions monitoring via remote sensing, and stakeholder convening infrastructure rather than commercial product development. Its core outputs are research reports, the Energy Matters newsletter, clean air action plans (Surat, Bengaluru), policy frameworks (India Cooling Action Plan contributions, BS VI emission norm shift), and capacity-building programmes for civil society. It does not sell products or services commercially; it is funded through philanthropic grants and donations from foundations (e.g., Rainmatter Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies), bilateral donors, and corporate donors.

The organisation is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Jamshyd Godrej, with members including former Union Cabinet Minister Suresh Prabhu, former UN Under-Secretary-General Nitin Desai, IDFC Bank's Rajiv Lall, and SELCO's Harish Hande. Vatsala Joseph serves as Interim CEO, having joined as CFO in 2012. The foundation has exhibited leadership transitions and a 2022 brand identity refresh to mark expansion into new thematic areas.

Name

Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation

Legal name

Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation

Website

https://shaktifoundation.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation is a New Delhi-based non-profit (est. 2009) that works with Indian government, civil society, and research institutions to develop and scale clean energy, climate policy, and electric mobility interventions through research, convening, and grant-making.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clean Energy and Climate Policy Foundation

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPAIAMAD), Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Land Use, Indigenous & Community Engagement Policy (EUAMANAL)

Keywords

• Clean energy policy
• Climate philanthropy
• Renewable energy research
• Air quality management
• Electric mobility policy

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grants and Donations: Shakti operates as a non-profit company (Section 25 company) funded primarily through grants from philanthropic foundations, bilateral donors, and corporate donors. Funding supports their programmes across clean power, climate policy, electric mobility, industry/cooling, and sustainable agriculture.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation is an Indian non-profit foundation that convenes policymakers, civil society, industry, think tanks and academia to originate and scale clean energy and climate policy interventions. It delivers its mission through thematic programmes in clean power, climate policy, climate finance, electric mobility, industry/buildings/cooling, critical raw materials, sustainable agriculture, and climate insights, supported by research, technical assistance, stakeholder convenings, and grant-making (e.g., the ACCLIMATE Challenge Fund).

Product overview

Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation is a clean energy and climate solutions organization that works with policymakers, civil society, industry, think tanks, and academia to identify and scale energy system interventions. The Foundation operates through multiple thematic programs including Clean Power (High Renewable Energy Pathways, Energy Access for Development), Climate Policy (Air Quality, Climate Resilience, Cities and Climate Action), Climate Finance, Electric Mobility, Industry Buildings and Cooling (Industrial Decarbonisation, Clean Cooling, Building Decarbonisation), Critical Raw Materials, Sustainable Agriculture and Land Use, and Climate Insights. Key initiatives include the ACCLIMATE Challenge Fund for civil society capacity building, the RISE Programme for renewable energy research, and the Remote Sensing Programme for vehicle emissions monitoring. The Foundation also supports clean air action plans for cities, Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions for underserved communities, and collaborates with government bodies on rooftop solar adoption initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clean Power Programme
• Climate Policy Programme Thematic programme covering Air Quality, Climate Resilience, Cities and Climate Action, and Modelling Long-Term Net Zero Pathways, supporting national, state and city governments with evidence-based climate and air quality policy development.
• Climate Finance Programme Programme working on climate financing mechanisms, local currency lending, green bonds, and strengthening supportive market infrastructure for climate-focused development activities in India.
• Electric Mobility Initiative Programme working on decarbonisation of transportation including medium and heavy-duty freight, electrification of vehicles across industries (e.g., dairy), and policy frameworks for sustainable mobility.
• Industry, Buildings and Cooling Programme Thematic programme covering Industrial Decarbonisation, Clean Cooling (including sustainable cold value chains and energy-efficient cold chain infrastructure), and Building Decarbonisation.
• Critical Raw Materials Programme Programme addressing critical raw materials strategy in support of India's clean energy transition.
• Sustainable Agriculture and Land Use Programme Programme focused on sustainable agriculture and land use as part of India's clean energy and climate transition.
• Climate Insights Programme Research and analysis output providing insights on climate and energy topics, including reports, interviews and commentary on sustainable development, supported by the Climate Insights Unit established with grant support from the Rainmatter Foundation.
• ACCLIMATE Challenge Fund Challenge fund launched with the goal of accelerating the work of civil society organisations committed to climate action in India, providing capacity building and support for climate-focused NGOs.
• Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) Solutions Programme Programme promoting clean, affordable and reliable energy access through decentralised renewable energy sources such as rooftop solar, micro-grids, and rechargeable batteries, addressing electricity access gaps in underserved communities (e.g., health infrastructure in Bihar).
• Accelerating Rooftop Solar Adoption Initiative Stakeholder consultation and capacity-building initiative focused on overcoming challenges and opportunities in India's rooftop solar sector, supporting the PM Surya Ghar Yojana City Accelerator Programme across 100 cities.
• Remote Sensing Programme for Vehicle Emissions Smart monitoring of on-road vehicle emissions using remote sensing technology to detect real-world emissions and discrepancies with certification-test performance, supporting framework development for a Remote Sensing Device (RSD) programme in India.
• Air Quality Management (NCAP Cities) Programme Programme supporting 132 non-attainment cities under India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to develop and implement clean air action plans, strengthen air quality data infrastructure, and build capacity for air quality management.
• Clean Air Action Plans for Cities (Surat and Bengaluru) Comprehensive city-level clean air action plans developed for Surat and Bengaluru in collaboration with municipal corporations, pollution control boards, and partners WRI India and TERI, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
• RISE Programme (Research Innovation Shakti Expert) Collaborative effort with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to develop high renewable energy policy and technology pathways through data analytics, modelling and decision support tools, bringing together young experts and civil society organisations.
• India Climate and Energy Modelling Forum (ICEMF) Collaboration with NITI Aayog to develop modelling pathways supporting India's energy and net-zero emissions transition, including setting up a modelling unit, advancing energy data management, energy dashboards, and creating a geospatial energy map for India.
• Freight Decarbonisation Programme Programme working at national and sub-national levels on policy frameworks and pilot projects for decarbonising medium and heavy-duty freight transportation, including the dairy industry EV electrification consultation with GERMI.
• Climate Focused Project Preparation Facility (CPPF) at NIUA Project preparation facility established with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) to boost private sector involvement in developing climate-focused urban infrastructure.
• Distribution Sector Modernisation Engagement (TPDDL) Collaboration with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) under an MoU to facilitate clean energy interventions that modernise the grid and improve distribution sector performance, serving seven million people in north Delhi.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported development of clean air action plans for Bengaluru and Surat
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• PM Surya Ghar Yojana (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Implements City Accelerator Programme selecting 100 cities including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, and Udaipur in Rajasthan to accelerate rooftop solar adoption through awareness activities and vendor training, building on Rajasthan's momentum of over 10,000 monthly solar installations.
• Gujarat Energy Research & Management Institute (GERMI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2024Shakti acted as knowledge partner supporting GERMI's Stakeholder Consultation on 'Electrification of Vehicles in the Dairy Industry' to explore feasibility and benefits of transitioning dairy transportation to EVs.
• Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Collaborated with CEEW to provide strategic inputs to International Solar Alliance for reaching out to member countries, developing work programmes, and supporting ISA's ratification process.
• National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2023Shakti signed LOI with NIUA to establish a Climate Focused Project Preparation Facility (CPPF) at NIUA to boost private sector involvement in developing climate-focused urban infrastructure. Leverages both organisations' expertise and networks.
• Intellecap Advisory SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2022Shakti collaborated with Intellecap to launch ACCLIMATE Climate Fund - Accelerating Civil Society Organizations Towards Climate Mitigation and Technical Excellence Fund.
• NITI AayogflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2021Statement of Intent to develop modelling pathways supporting India's energy and net zero emissions transition. Collaboration focuses on setting up a modelling unit, advancing energy data management and dashboards, and creating a geospatial energy map for India through India Climate and Energy Modelling Forum (ICEMF).
• International Solar Alliance (ISA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021MoU signed to collaborate around opportunities in solar, energy storage and electric mobility. Working together to advance national and global policy frameworks for accelerated solar deployment, facilitate development of technical and financial feasibility research, and support the 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' concept.
• National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2021MoU to promote access to more equitable, affordable and quality healthcare through adoption of renewable energy and DRE-based electricity systems. Shakti provides technical support for policy design and implementation, facilitates development of tools and frameworks, and helps build capacity of stakeholders in health sector.
• Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShakti signed MoU with TPDDL to facilitate clean energy interventions that can modernise the grid and improve distribution sector performance. They collaborate to design and demonstrate innovative technologies and interventions that will increase technical and commercial efficiency of the distribution sector by facilitating multi-stakeholder coordination and public-private dialogue.
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShakti engages with CSE and other ecosystem actors to provide policy inputs for creating a framework for Remote Sensing Device (RSD) programme in India to monitor real-world vehicle emissions.
• Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShakti supported CEED to develop solutions for adoption and scaling up of DRE-based solutions in Bihar for improving quality of electricity supply in health infrastructure and increasing incomes through improved production yield.
• World Resources Institute India (WRI India)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with WRI India and TERI on development of Surat Clean Air Action Plan in partnership with Surat Municipal Corporation and Gujarat Pollution Control Board.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with TERI on clean air action plans for cities including Surat, and hosted ISA's Corporate Conclave at World Sustainable Development Summit 2018.
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with MNRE on various initiatives including City Accelerator Programme under PM Surya Ghar Yojana for rooftop solar expansion, and RISE Programme for renewable energy policy development.
• National Center for Cold Chain Development (NCCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShakti contributes to a study for NCCD examining existing cold chain infrastructure and energy transition opportunities in India, conducting walk-through analysis of select clusters of high value horticulture produce.
• Biocon FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to organise cities and climate action workshop to lay groundwork for establishing a framework for enabling philanthropies to collaborate and scale actions with stakeholders.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): NRDC is a major international environmental advocacy organization. Comparable as a broad climate and clean energy advocacy nonprofit; however, NRDC's scope is global with US-centric origins and does not specialize in India-specific policy interventions the way Shakti does.
• ClimateWorks Foundation: ClimateWorks Foundation is a global philanthropic platform that funds and coordinates climate change mitigation efforts. Comparable to Shakti as both are philanthropic foundations mobilizing grantmaking and convening for climate action; however, ClimateWorks operates globally as a funder rather than directly executing India-specific programs.
• Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI): RMI is a global clean energy transformation nonprofit working on renewable power, mobility, and buildings. Comparable to Shakti as a broad clean energy policy and programs nonprofit; however, RMI operates globally with a much larger footprint and focuses on energy system transformation rather than India-specific policy advocacy.
• Climate Policy Initiative (CPI): CPI is a global climate finance policy organization with deep analysis of climate investment flows. Comparable to Shakti as a broader incumbent operating in climate finance and policy advisory, though CPI's scale and international footprint exceed Shakti's and it focuses more on financial sector analysis.

Direct peers

• SELCO Foundation: SELCO Foundation is a non-profit focused on sustainable energy access for underserved communities. Directly comparable to Shakti — both work on Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions in underserved areas (e.g., health infrastructure in Bihar), and share a board member (Harish Hande).
• World Resources Institute India (WRI India): WRI India is the India arm of the global WRI network, focusing on sustainable cities, climate, energy, and governance. Directly comparable to Shakti — both partner with municipal bodies on clean air action plans (Surat, Bengaluru) and engage with NITI Aayog and state governments on climate policy and urban sustainability.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI): TERI is a leading Indian think tank conducting research on energy, environment, and sustainable development. Directly comparable to Shakti as both organizations produce policy research, publish reports, engage with government on clean energy and climate, and partner on flagship initiatives like the India Cooling Action Plan and city-level clean air programs.
• Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP): CSTEP is a research-focused think tank working on energy, environment, climate, and security policy with strong modelling capabilities. Comparable to Shakti — both provide technical analysis to government, engage on energy modelling and air quality, and collaborate on clean air action plans for Indian cities.
• Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW): CEEW is one of Asia's leading policy research institutions on energy, environment, and water. Directly comparable to Shakti — both are independent policy think tanks engaging with NITI Aayog, MNRE, and ISA on clean energy policy, and have collaborated strategically (e.g., ISA outreach to member countries).
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE): CSE is a public interest research and advocacy organization focused on environment, health, and sustainable development. Comparable to Shakti — both engage on air quality policy (NCAP, vehicle emissions), publish research and convenings, and work with civil society to influence environmental regulation in India.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5p_a1sEmlgq2qhoEPXDi7Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/shakti-sustainable-energy-foundation-1399075587008147
• Instagraminstagram.com/shakti_fdn
• Xx.com/shaktifdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shakti-sustainable-energy-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation