The rapidly growing Indian electricity sector is also in the flux of a market-oriented reform with unbundling, privatization, and creation of independent regulatory commission. India recently enacted an electricity act (Electricity Act, 2003) and an energy conservation act (Energy Conservation Act, 2003). These acts, and resulting policies, as well as efforts of Indian NGOs, have created space for regulatory and policy intervention towards environmental sustainability and equity. In this talk, Mr. Girish Sant will share his insights on power sector reforms in India. He will discuss the new opportunities and challenges of promoting demand side and renewable energy options in the context of ongoing reforms.  Mr. Girish Sant is the Founder of Prayas Energy Group, which is one of most influential and well respected NGO's working in the Indian electricity sector since the last fifteen years. Presently Mr. Sant is a member of the Working Group on Power appointed by the Planning Commission and a member of the Advisory Committee of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. He has been a member of several government and Supreme Court committees including (1) Committee of Government of Maharashtra to evaluate Benefit:Cost of Narmada HydroProject, (2) Supreme Court Committee to investigate the benefits of Energy generation projects from Municipal Solid Waste, and (3) Expert group to advice the Planning commission for the Interim review of 10th Plan. He has a bachelor and a master's degree in Chemical Engineering and Energy Systems Engineering respectively from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.