U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri held the third ministerial meeting of the U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) in New Delhi. Launched in September 2021, the SCEP aims to advance energy security, clean energy innovation, and decarbonization efforts to support the global energy transition and ensure clean energy access.
During the meeting, both sides acknowledged the growing significance of bilateral energy cooperation, emphasizing the critical role of clean energy engagement in enhancing energy security and promoting climate change mitigation. The Ministers highlighted the achievements of the SCEP in bolstering energy trade, supporting clean energy innovation, and creating opportunities for employment generation in both countries.
The meeting addressed a range of clean energy workstreams, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, hydrogen technologies, battery storage, and biofuels. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a just, orderly, and sustainable energy transition, prioritizing reliable, affordable, and clean energy access. They recognized the importance of joint action and collaboration to navigate the global energy transition successfully.
The Ministers welcomed the establishment of the public-private Energy Storage Task Force and the Hydrogen Task Force to support large-scale integration of renewable energy and accelerate the deployment of hydrogen technologies. Additionally, they launched the U.S.-India New and Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies Action Platform (RETAP) to advance key technologies in pursuit of ambitious clean energy goals.
The meeting also focused on reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector through zero-emissions vehicles and securing funding for the e-mobility sector. Both sides acknowledged the significance of the “Electric Vehicle (EV) financing services facility,” which will create dedicated funds for e-mobility.
Furthermore, the Ministers affirmed the vision of President Biden and Prime Minister Modi in establishing the Global biofuels Alliance to strengthen markets, facilitate global biofuels trade, and provide technical support for national biofuels programs worldwide.
The joint statement highlighted ongoing collaborations in modernizing the power system, promoting energy efficiency and conservation, reducing emissions in the oil and gas sector, and advancing technologies for electrification and decarbonization.
The Ministers welcomed the addition of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage as a workstream under the Emerging Fuels and Technology Pillar, signaling their commitment to reducing emissions. They also praised the collaboration between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Indian agencies to develop sustainable and clean energy systems.
Additionally, both sides launched the South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE) to deepen engagement between Indian agencies and U.S. national laboratories, supporting research, analysis, and capacity-building activities.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, emphasizing that the SCEP represents a comprehensive vision to decarbonize while fostering growth for both countries. The Ministers expressed their hope that the ongoing work under the SCEP will lead to a promising and sustainable future.
