U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership Emphasizes Innovation to Build Resilient and Diverse Supply Chains

The U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial, convened on Sep.16, reviewed progress in fostering clean energy innovation, enhancing energy security, and accelerating clean energy transitions.

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted efforts under the partnership’s technical pillars: Power & Energy Efficiency, Responsible Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Emerging Fuels & Technologies, and Sustainable Growth. Launched in 2021, SCEP is a partnership between the two countries to advance clean energy initiatives.

The ministers recognized progress in advancing emerging clean energy technologies, expanding renewable energy deployment and grid integration, promoting energy efficiency, and decarbonizing high-emitting sectors such as industry, buildings, and transport.

In recent years, the countries have launched several key initiatives to drive technical innovation in the clean energy sector. One such collaboration is the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform, or RETAP, launched in August 2023. The initiative supports strategies for hydrogen, long-term energy storage, and renewables such as offshore wind and geothermal.

The two countries welcomed collaboration on the new National Centre for Hydrogen Safety in India and the 2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen. The ministers highlighted expanded bilateral exchanges on clean hydrogen R&D, cost reduction, and hydrogen hub implementation through RETAP and the Hydrogen Task Force.

Another key area of focus was long-term energy storage and grid resiliency. The Energy Storage Task Force supports solutions for long-term energy storage and alternatives to Li-ion batteries.

The two nations agreed to advance sustainable aviation fuel by launching a workshop on research and development, tax incentives, supply chain development, market growth, financing, fuel certification, coalition building, and commercial partnerships. They also endorsed the creation of two joint reports on SAF and biofuels.  Additionally, they reaffirmed their commitment to improving energy efficiency by collaborating on super-efficient appliances, enhancing cooling systems, and promoting supply chain diversification.

The ministers welcomed new collaboration on electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including electric buses, through workshops and expert exchanges. They also acknowledged the progress made in carbon capture, utilization, and storage efforts.

Both sides emphasized the importance of a just and sustainable energy transition that ensures access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy. They also emphasized the crucial role of energy trade in supporting their national priorities. Further, they observed that by utilizing the SCEP partnerships, the U.S. and India can drive innovation and contribute to the development of more secure, resilient, and diverse clean energy supply chains.

The SCEP event is a part of the Biden administration’s efforts to boost U.S. technical partnerships globally, with a focus on climate technology, innovation, and energy resilience. Recently, the U.S. Energy Department announced a series of investments and partnerships between the U.S. and Africa, such as the collaboration for a nuclear project in Ghana.