Future in clean, affordable energy, says BP’s Lord Browne

This clean energy will ship as a device with simple microfinance options. It will permit households to choose their fuel and reduce some of the deaths caused by fumes from household fuels. BP stresses it will also be strictly business, not charity. ‘‘We will explore new distribution models and it will be an income generation option for women. It will empower them to run a small business as a dealer,’’ Lord Browne said.

For the energy giant, India is also a source of talented engineers. BP is keen to partner with higher technical learning institutions and support them. ‘‘There is a need for more engineers all over the world. There is a direct interest (for BP) in ensuring that as many people as possible feel that globalisation is good for them,’’ he said.

When quizzed on oil prices, Lord Browne said he didn’t think the $100-a-barrel price point was near.

‘‘There are two schools of thought – The ‘peak-ists’ say they will keep going up and the other group somehow believes things are just the other way around. If you ask me, it could be in the wide $20-$40 range as usage changes,’’ he said. ‘‘At current prices,’’ Lord Browne emphasised, ‘‘every single alternative energy source is economical today.’’