24 February 2026

Dr Pradeep Tharakan from the Asian Development Bank explores the complexities of funding the energy transition in Asia and the Pacific at a recent talk at the Business School.
Dr Pradeep Tharakan in a group shot with a group of six business school students

How do we funding the energy transition in Asia and the Pacific?

That question was tackled by Dr Pradeep Tharakan, Director of Energy Transition at the Asian Development Bank, when he came to visit us at the Business School last week. Pradeep showed us how energy demand is increasing, how China is leading in the supply of clean tech exports, case studies of how clever investment is financing green energy in countries like Cambodia and India, and the challenge of modelling an energy system that is changing so rapidly, often in ways we can’t predict.

Dr Pradeep Tharakan delivering his lecture in the lecture theatre

At the same time, Pradeep reminded us of the importance of bringing all communities with us, so that clean energy investment reaches less developed countries and everyone can benefit from an affordable, reliable electricity supply.

Pradeep was extremely generous in his time – answering question from our students, giving them careers advice, and discussing their studies and perspectives.