India-France Collaborate in Clean Energy; Green Transition to EVs and Hydrogen Energy

India and France are collaborating to enhance the production of clean and sustainable energy. India is currently ranked fourth on the list of the world's most attractive renewable energy sectors, and solar energy is the most abundant source of renewable power in the country. Dr. S. Chandrasekhar, Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, inaugurated the Indo-French Workshop on Clean and Sustainable Energy Technologies (INFINITE) at CSIR – National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi.

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Clean and Clear Energy Goal Of India 

During the workshop, Dr. Chandrasekhar stated that the Indian government had set a target of installing 100 GW of solar energy by 2022. He added that using the Thar Desert as a site for solar power generation, India could generate up to 2,100 GW of solar energy. Dr. Chandrasekhar referred to the National Biofuel Policy, which aims to achieve a 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and a 5% blending of biodiesel in diesel by 2030.

Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director-General, CSIR, and Secretary, DSIR, emphasised the need for partnerships with France and other G20 countries to develop green energy generation, storage, and conversion, particularly green hydrogen, green ammonia, and energy storage infrastructures. She also noted the need for a significant increase in renewable energy technology and infrastructure manufacturing in India.

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India-France INFINITE Workshop To Bring Together Experts

Pr. Antoine Petit, CEO of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), expressed appreciation for the strong partnership between the two countries and the importance of collaboration in achieving a sustainable energy transition through new bilateral programs. Prof. Arvind Kumar Mishra, Director CSIR-CIMFR, stated that the workshop aims to bring together academic and industrial experts from France and India to develop collaborations in the area of clean and sustainable energy.

The objective of the INFINITE workshop is to bring together experts, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from both countries to exchange knowledge, ideas, and best practices on the development and deployment of clean and sustainable energy technologies. The workshop will cover a range of topics related to Solar Energy, Hydrogen Energy, Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage, Electrochemical Energy Storage, and Clean Fuels.

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The workshop is being jointly organized by CSIR – Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad, and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France, and is supported by the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA). The event aims to provide a platform for experts and stakeholders from both countries to exchange knowledge, identify areas of collaboration, and explore new avenues for cooperation in the field of clean and sustainable energy technologies.

The discussions and collaborations initiated during the workshop are expected to lead to concrete outcomes in the near future. The event is being coordinated by Dr. R. Ebhin Masto, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR – CIMFR, India, and Dr. Patrick Mauger, Director of the International Partnership and European Research Office, CNRS, France.

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India is making significant efforts to increase the production of clean and sustainable energy, with solar energy being the most abundant source of renewable power in the country. The collaboration between India and France is an essential step towards achieving a sustainable energy transition, and the INFINITE workshop provides a platform for experts and stakeholders from both countries to exchange knowledge and explore new avenues for cooperation.

*PIB inputs