New Zealand, UK Offer Support For India’s Renewable Energy Development

Developed countries are lining up to pledge support to India’s ambitious renewable energy targets.

The United Kingdom has extended support to India’s ambitious renewable energy targets through cooperation in development and implementation of new technologies. Amber Rudd, UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change recently stated that her government is impressed with the leadership shown by India in implementing renewable energy infrastructures.

Speaking to her recent visit to India, Amber Rudd said that her country would cooperate with India for the development of renewable energy technologies that have not been adopted on a large-scale in India, including carbon capture and offshore wind energy technology. While some pilot projects on carbon capture may be operational in India, there are no offshore wind energy projects operational in the country, though earlier this month, the Indian government approved a national offshore wind energy policy.

The UK government also announced financial support of over a quarter of million dollars towards programs to increase access to electricity in India. In addition to collaboration in the renewable energy sector, the UK government may also support environmental projects in India.

The New Zealand government has also expressed interest in sharing technology and expertise with India in development of renewable energy projects, following the visit of a trade delegation from New Zealand who attended the 9th Renewable Energy Expo organised near Delhi.

Officials stated that New Zealand itself is looking to increase the share of renewable energy technologies in the energy mix to 80-90% by 2025, and “could boost India’s fast growing renewable energy sector by providing innovative assistance and advanced technologies.”

The delegation indicated that the two countries can collaborate on waste-to-energy technology which has been a neglected area in India’s quest to increase renewable energy capacity. This would help achieve India’s ambitious renewable energy target and also contribute to the Clean India campaign launched by the Indian Prime Minister, members of the New Zealand delegation stated.