Photo Credit: www.pib.gov.in
India and the European Union have discussed expanding cooperation in the power sector, with energy storage, green hydrogen, digital power systems and carbon markets among the areas under consideration.
Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik met a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy in New Delhi on September 24. The meeting reviewed existing India–EU cooperation and examined opportunities to work together on energy security, power sector transformation and low-carbon development.
Storage and digital power systems
Long-duration energy storage and digital power-system technologies featured in the discussions. These areas are relevant to India’s efforts to integrate growing amounts of renewable power while strengthening the reliability of its electricity network.
Minister Naik outlined India’s progress in expanding non-fossil fuel power capacity and strengthening transmission and distribution infrastructure. He also pointed to the adoption of energy storage and smart-grid solutions as part of the country’s changing power sector.
Green hydrogen, carbon capture and nuclear technology
The two sides considered further cooperation on green hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage. Nuclear energy was also on the agenda, including small modular reactors.
These were identified as possible areas for deeper engagement. The meeting did not announce a joint project or a funding commitment for any of the technologies discussed.
Carbon markets and trade
India and the EU also exchanged views on carbon markets, changing approaches to carbon pricing and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The discussions took place against the backdrop of progress in India–EU trade relations, which both sides acknowledged during the meeting.
Energy cooperation already has an established framework through the India–EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership, launched in 2016. Its third phase was adopted in November 2024. The latest meeting brought newer technologies and carbon-market questions into the continuing power-sector dialogue.
Where the India–Germany partnership fits
The EU discussions closely overlap with priorities India and Germany are pursuing together. On September 2, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal and German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider met in New Delhi to discuss energy security, electrification, low-carbon development, carbon markets and more diverse supply chains. The ministers described energy security and climate-related cooperation as connected parts of the bilateral relationship.
Thursday’s meeting was between India and a European Parliament delegation, with no German bilateral commitment announced. It nevertheless puts the India–Germany energy dialogue in a wider European setting: carbon markets and secure, affordable power are now being discussed at both levels, while the EU conversation also identifies specific technologies for potential cooperation. The next measure of progress will be whether these discussions lead to defined research, technical or industrial initiatives.
