Bharath Jairaj
Executive Director - Energy

Bharath Jairaj leads WRI India’s Energy program, which seeks to inform and catalyze India’s transition to clean energy through increased use of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The program also seeks to enhance access to reliable and affordable energy such that it leads to socio-economic development in the country. Bharath has been with WRI since 2010, and has been involved with the establishment of key programs and functions in India.
He is also part of WRI’s Equity and Governance Center and leads the Energy Governance Practice that seeks to strengthen the focus on equity and governance in the energy sector. Bharath is also involved with other initiatives focused on social inclusion, reducing poverty and strengthening public institutions.
Prior to WRI, Bharath worked with Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), WWF-India and Toxics Link in India. He has been part of multiple public interest initiatives in India and globally to strengthen and enforce environmental laws, improve governance, and enhance citizen participation in decisions that impact their lives.
Bharath has a law degree from the National Law School of India, a Master in Public Policy from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore and a Master of Laws from the National University of Singapore.
Insights Articles
- Buildings Are a Hidden Source of Indian Cities’ Extreme Heat
- India’s Renewable Energy Push: A Win-Win for Job Creation and Electricity Access
- India’s Move to Make Buildings Efficient
- 5 Issues to Watch as India Reaches for Ambitious Energy Access Target
- The Rise of the Urban Energy “Prosumer”
- Big Data Improves Renewable Power Forecasts. Will It Help India?
- Integrated Resources Planning in India Could Help with Electricity Shortages
- The Real Story Behind Falling Renewable Energy Investments
- How Civil Society Groups Can Help Expand Energy Efficiency
- How Civil Society Groups Improved Electricity in Thailand
- Civil Society Groups Help Make Electricity Affordable and Sustainable
Research
- Integration of an Energy Modeling Tool in a State’s Power Sector Planning Process—A Tamil Nadu Case Study
- Benchmarking Energy Performance of Offices in Kochi
- Shifting Household Energy Use in Bangalore, India: Using Behaviorally Informed Energy Reports
- Powering Development in Climate Vulnerable Areas: The Role of Decentralized Solar Solutions in India
- Can Renewable Energy Jobs Help Reduce Poverty in India?
- The Future Electricity Grid
- Strengthening Governance of India's Appliance Efficiency Standards and Labeling Program
- 10 Questions to Ask About Integrated Resources Planning
- 10 Questions to Ask About Electricity Tariffs
- 10 Questions to Ask About Scaling On-Grid Renewable Energy
- Robust, Recognizable, and Legitimate
- Shining a Light on Electricity Governance
- Electricity Governance in India