Green Energy Partnerships of India

India has been actively involved in several green energy partnerships and initiatives to promote renewable energy, address climate change, and achieve sustainable development. These partnerships involve collaborations with other countries, international organizations, and private entities. Read here to learn about the significant green partnerships forged by India in recent times.

Green energy, often referred to as renewable energy, is derived from natural sources that are replenished on a human timescale.

It includes sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass. The choice to embrace or not embrace green energy involves considering a range of economic, environmental, and social factors.

In the ongoing global transition to a more sustainable energy future, striking a balance between addressing challenges and leveraging the benefits of green energy is crucial. The decision to adopt green energy should consider the unique circumstances of each region or country, taking into account environmental, economic, and social factors.

Green Energy Partnerships of India

India’s transition to green energy could help boost competitiveness, support the agrarian economy, control inflation, lower interest costs, strengthen the currency, and create 3.5m sustainable jobs, for which global partnerships are required.

India currently has a renewable energy capacity of 168.96 GW, with investments of $1.3tn estimated to be needed to achieve 500 GW by 2030.

India is well placed to create an estimated $80bn green hydrogen and low-carbon technology sector by 2030.

Some of the most significant green energy partnerships forged by India recently are:

• Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) initiative
• S- India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership
• Green / Clean Hydrogen India and Saudi Arabia
• India-Australia Green Hydrogen Taskforce
• Global Biofuels Alliance forged by Brazil, India, and the United States
• Quad’s Climate Working Group for Clean Energy
• EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership

Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) initiative

At the Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2024, Denmark unveiled the Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI), a pivotal initiative under the Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) signed between India and Denmark in 2020.

• Its primary objective is to promote sustainable energy growth in India by encouraging collaboration among businesses, government entities, research institutions, etc. from both countries.
• It is inspired by initiatives like India-Denmark Energy Partnership, and joint R&D efforts on Green Fuels, etc.
• The major goals are to strengthen collaboration in sustainable energy solutions and to advance joint goals towards carbon neutrality.
• It enables renewable energy production in India towards the ambition to be a global leader in the green energy value chain.
• It will help in accelerating net zero emissions by 2070.
• It will foster innovation, collaboration, and partnerships among firms, businesses, and government.

India-USA Strategic Clean Energy Partnership

Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) was established as Strategic Energy Partnership in 2018. SCEP was established as one of the two-track engagements launched under the US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership.

Green / Clean Hydrogen India and Saudi Arabia

India and Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the fields of Electrical Interconnections, Green / Clean Hydrogen, and Supply Chains.

This MoU aims to establish a general framework for cooperation between the two countries in the field of:

• electrical interconnection;
• exchange of electricity during peak times and emergencies;
• co-development of projects; co-production of green/clean hydrogen and renewable energy; and
• they are also establishing secure, reliable, and resilient supply chains of materials used in green/clean hydrogen and the renewable energy sector.

India-Australia Green Hydrogen Taskforce

India and Australia reiterated a shared ambition for green hydrogen with the exchange of the agreed Terms of Reference for the India-Australia Green Hydrogen Taskforce.

• The task force will be comprised of Australian and Indian experts in green hydrogen. It will report to the India-Australia Ministerial Energy Dialogue on trade, commercial, and research opportunities between the two countries through the manufacture and deployment of green hydrogen.

The task force’s areas of initial focus will be:

• hydrogen electrolysers
• production of green hydrogen and fuel cell manufacture
• supporting infrastructure
• standards and regulations.

Global Biofuels Alliance forged by Brazil, India, and the United States

The Indian G20 presidency launched the Global Biofuel Alliance.

The new grouping, which includes top producers Brazil and the United States, aims to extend and develop markets for sustainable biofuels and has been one of India’s key priorities while hosting the summit as it pushes towards its net-zero aim.

• Brazil, the US, and India together account for 85 percent of ethanol (common biofuel) production.
• The alliance partners will drive net-zero targets by decarbonizing vehicle emissions and heating mediums.
• Eco-friendly fuel practices will be shared across borders through technological advancement.
• It will form a virtual marketplace for countries, and stakeholders to regulate the demand and supply of biofuels.
• At present, 19 countries – including Singapore, Argentina, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates – and 12 international organizations – inclusive of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and World Economic Forum – have joined the alliance.

The alliance seeks to ensure the affordability and accessibility of biofuels and emphasizes sustainability as a core principle, promoting responsible biofuel deployment.

• To achieve these objectives, the alliance needs to look at the diversification of fuel sources.
• Alternative options such as algae, biomass, and various renewable energy sources will be explored to ensure a stable and environmentally friendly energy future.
• The alliance has also committed to enhancing the efficiency of existing biofuels through the adoption of advanced technologies and conservation measures.
• This approach is essential in reducing the environmental impact associated with biofuel production while bolstering the economic viability of renewable energy sources.

Quad Climate Working Group for Clean Energy

The Quad’s Climate Working Group collaborates on clean energy supply chains, disaster risk reduction, green shipping, and climate information exchanges.

• In 2022, Quad Leaders agreed to a Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) to accelerate cooperation on climate resilience in the region.
• Quad countries’ participation in the July 2022 Sydney Energy Forum demonstrated the Quad’s commitment to strengthening clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific.
• The Climate Working Group continues to progress that commitment and other new climate initiatives through collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners.
• At the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit, Quad Leaders issued a Statement of Principles on Clean Energy Supply Chains in the Indo-Pacific.
• Leaders also announced a Clean Energy Supply Chains initiative designed to accelerate the Indo-Pacific’s clean energy transition.

The Quad countries, which include the United States in the Pacific, India and Japan in South and East Asia, and Australia, encompass critical regions experiencing the multifaceted impacts of cascading climate crises.

EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership

In 2016, the EU and India established the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (CECP), which promotes access to and dissemination of clean energy and climate-friendly technologies and encourages research and the development of innovative solutions. This partnership guides the energy and climate policy dialogue between the EU and India and helps to support joint projects and research.

Current areas of collaboration include activities in offshore wind energy, rooftop solar and solar parks, integration of renewable energy and storage, smart grids, biofuels, and energy efficiency in buildings.

Related articles:

• Green Growth: India’s strategy for Green Economy
• Green Energy Corridor Project
• Green Grids Initiative
• International Solar Alliance

-Article by Swathi Satish