Berlin

Ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to India, Berlin is keen to further boost green energy ties with New Delhi. Germany has offered to share its expertise with India in the renewable energy domain.  Uwe Gehlen, head of development cooperation at the German Embassy in New Delhi, said "I can say for sure that we are just a call away! Our partnership with India is not just about technology transfer; it is about supporting India's leadership, along with other countries, in this global energy transition.”

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Speaking at the Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development (GSDP) conversation series, the diplomat pointed out, “By sharing our expertise, fostering regulatory frameworks, and building local capacities, we aim to catalyze a rapid shift towards sustainable energy, leveraging our combined strengths for a cleaner, more resilient future."

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India, which is the world's most populous country, is pursuing an ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity for electricity generation, along with 125 GW for green hydrogen production by 2030. In New Delhi's growing green energy ambition, Berlin is keen to be an important and helpful partner.

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Dr Ajay Mathur, director general of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), who was present at the occasion said, “the partnership between India and Germany is a powerful example of how global cooperation can drive the clean energy agenda forward. India’s leadership, in collaboration with Germany, can significantly accelerate the deployment of renewable technologies like solar”.

Meanwhile, Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale from India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy spoke about the country's journey in this segment and the future course of action. "We are at 205 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity, and our aim is to more than double this by 2030," he said.

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The Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) between India and Germany was initiated in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in alignment with the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the goals of the Paris Agreement.

As part of this is the GSDP Conversation Series which aims at the development of this partnership through regular networking and idea sharing. It was signed on the occasion of the 6th Indo-German Cabinet Consultations held in Berlin in May 2022. 

In October 2024, the 7th Indo-German Cabinet Consultations will be held in New Delhi. Interestingly, Germany will be participating in RE-INVEST 2024 as a partner country. RE-INVEST is India’s premier platform for showcasing its renewable energy potential to the world.