India and the United States have agreed to promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles, and the use of hydrogen in buses, tractors, and heavy equipment. This decision came during the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) dialogue between US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri in Washington, DC. Both nations also encouraged increased investments in each other's clean energy markets.

The joint statement emphasised the importance of a "just, orderly, and sustainable energy transition," ensuring access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy. Modernising the power distribution sector to provide 24/7 power, supporting India's smart metering initiatives, and enhancing cybersecurity were highlighted as key areas for collaboration.

Additionally, the ministers acknowledged Indian Railways' efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and supported India's round-the-clock renewable energy procurement of over 1.5 GW. They also welcomed the development of a comprehensive energy efficiency policy for railway facilities.

The partnership will focus on advancing the production and use of SAF, an alternative fuel made from renewable feedstocks that can reduce carbon emissions from air transportation. New engagement efforts include an inaugural SAF workshop covering R&D, tax incentives, supply chain capacity building, and market development. Two joint reports on SAF and biofuels were also developed under the Biofuels Task Force.

The dialogue reiterated the commitment to energy efficiency, including the development of super-efficient appliances and the promotion of high-efficiency cooling systems. Both nations also agreed to collaborate on the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and the use of green hydrogen in public transportation and heavy equipment.

Discussions also covered carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), and progress was noted on methane abatement in the oil and gas sector. The ministers expressed satisfaction with the public-private sector dialogues, aimed at scaling clean energy technologies and facilitating investment and commercial partnerships.

The formal launch of the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) in August 2023 was recognised as a significant step toward developing actionable roadmaps for hydrogen, energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal energy. This collaboration aims to advance R&D, pilot projects, and industry networks.

The joint statement also highlighted the launch of the National Centre for Hydrogen Safety in India and ongoing bilateral exchanges on clean hydrogen R&D, cost reduction, and the establishment of hydrogen hubs. Emphasis was placed on supporting the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid and the development of energy storage solutions.

The partnership's focus on energy storage was further strengthened with the launch of the public-private Energy Storage Task Force. This initiative aims to address policy and regulatory frameworks, safety, manufacturing, and supply chains. Efforts will also concentrate on alternative chemistries to lithium-ion technologies and the feasibility of various storage technologies for renewable energy systems.

The ministers praised the US-India partnership for advancing clean energy goals and tackling climate challenges, emphasising that through SCEP, both countries can foster innovation and build more secure, resilient, and diverse clean energy supply chains.

(ET)