PVLF 2025

Frontlist | Upcoming Book- Fossil Free: A book on clean energy

Frontlist | Upcoming Book- Fossil Free: A book on clean energy
on Oct 24, 2020

The current global energy use, with its overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels, has taken global warming to dangerous levels. Climate change is already hitting us hard, through adverse effects on global food availability, biodiversity, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods. In the last decade, a major transformation—the transition to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy from the sun and the wind—is beginning to address these challenges. Fossil Free provides a concise introduction to the challenges, realities, and complexities of the global and local energy industry, as well as the trends and forces driving the energy transition. It explains how improved electricity infrastructure, decentralized smart grids, electric vehicles, energy storage, and market design are already providing clear pathways for the transition towards green, efficient, affordable, and secure renewable energy across the energy-use chain: extraction, conversion, transmission, distribution, and end-use. For over a decade, Sumant Sinha has had a ringside view of the energy scenario. Having founded and helmed India’s leading clean energy company, his understanding of the global energy landscape and climate change brings a unique, holistic perspective on energy. With Fossil Free, Sinha shares his vision for energy, which is not only clean but also practical and affordable. Blurbs ‘This book illuminates how India, an emerging economy that is home to 1.3 billion people, can lead the world in responding to the existential threat of the climate crisis. Sumant Sinha captures the unique challenges and opportunities of growing India’s economy by tapping into unprecedented opportunities for implementing clean energy solutions. In doing so, he presents a compelling roadmap to a better, cleaner future for India—and other developing regions of the world.’ — AL GORE, NOBEL LAUREATE AND FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ‘Our addiction to fossil fuels is at the core of the climate change crisis. Today, devastating impacts of a changing climate are showing up across the world—from blazing fires to the intensification of cyclones. This is why this book, written by a practitioner—someone who is deeply involved with the renewable energy business—is a must-read. There is too much at stake today. So, read it and learn how we can change our common future. Together.’ — SUNITA NARAIN, DIRECTOR GENERAL, CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT, DELHI ‘Few books have impressed me as much as Sumant Sinha’s Fossil Free for its uniqueness, impact, effectiveness, vision, and perspective. This book is insightful, thought-provoking, superbly researched and deftly crafted. A must-read for all those who envisage a new world of clean energy and zero-emission mobility.’ — AMITABH KANT CEO, NITI AAYOG ‘Climate change is at the cusp of irreversibly damaging our planet. Sumant has put together an essential book on framing the problem and providing the solution—on how markets, entrepreneurs, and policymakers can come together to solve this crisis. We owe it to future generations to read this book and act on it.’ — ANAND MAHINDRA CHAIRMAN, MAHINDRA GROUP ‘A bold vision of a clean energy future for India from the man who transformed the country’s renewable energy industry.’ — DR FATIH BIROL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY ‘A must-read, this book is a great chronicle of the ongoing Indian energy transition, one of the momentous occurrences of our times. And that it is written by Sumant Sinha, who is at the center of the transition, makes it doubly fascinating as well.’ — AJAY MATHUR DIRECTOR GENERAL, THE ENERGY AND RESOURCES INSTITUTE ‘A compelling book by a visionary leader. Sumant Sinha offers practical steps to help solve the climate crisis, drawing on his experience founding and running India’s largest renewable power company. This book offers lessons that can make a difference around the world for years to come.’ — DAVID SANDALOW, INAUGURAL FELLOW, CENTER ON GLOBAL ENERGY POLICY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY; and FORMER SENIOR OFFICIAL, THE WHITE HOUSE, STATE DEPARTMENT AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ‘Humanity’s future must be fossil-free if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change, but plentiful energy is essential to prosperity and growth. The good news brilliantly set out by Sumant Sinha, is that renewable electricity and other technologies now provide a clear route to affordable zero-carbon energy for all. Sinha combines historical perspective and scientific understanding with the pragmatic insights of a successful business leader. The result is an important, compelling, and exciting description of an attractive future, for India and the whole world.’ — LORD ADAIR TURNER CHAIR, ENERGY TRANSITIONS COMMISSION About the Author SUMANT SINHA is an entrepreneur in the clean energy sector. Ten years ago, he founded ReNew Power, and under his leadership ReNew Power has become India’s leading clean energy company, supplying more than one percent of India’s total electricity and mitigating half a percent of India’s carbon emissions every year. Before ReNew, Sumant had a corporate career, both in India and overseas. He studied at IIT Delhi, IIM Calcutta, and Columbia University, USA. He works closely with various entities such as WEF, CII, and the Climate Group on energy and environmental issues. He is a role model for clean energy entrepreneurs and is a passionate advocate for climate change solutions. Author Sumant Sinha says, ‘Fossil Free chronicles the energy transition taking place around the world, and more importantly, in India. As we move away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the structure of the energy sector will change irreversibly. India is at the vanguard of this change and the book outlines a ‘carbon light playbook’ for the country, showing how this energy revolution will create new opportunities for millions of Indians while also addressing the pressing issue of climate change.’