India and Denmark Power Up: New Push for Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen
India and Denmark explore new partnerships in offshore wind, green hydrogen, and renewable energy to accelerate the global green transition.
India and Denmark are moving to significantly strengthen their energy ties, exploring deeper cooperation in India Denmark energy cooperation specifically focusing on offshore wind, green hydrogen, and the integration of renewable energy into existing power grids. This strategic push comes as both nations aim to accelerate their transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
High-Level Diplomatic Push in New Delhi
The momentum for this expanded partnership was highlighted during the visit of Martin Lidegaard, Denmark's Minister for Business and Competitiveness, to New Delhi. Minister Lidegaard engaged in critical discussions with Pralhad Joshi, India's Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, to map out the future of bilateral energy collaboration.
The discussions centered on three primary pillars:
- Offshore Wind Energy: Leveraging Denmark's global leadership in wind technology to expand India's coastal energy potential.
- Green Hydrogen: Exploring innovative ways to produce and utilize clean hydrogen.
- System Integration: Finding better ways to integrate renewable energy into electricity systems to ensure stability and efficiency.
A Three-Decade Legacy of Partnership
This is not a new relationship; India and Denmark have been collaborating in the energy sector for 30 years. The foundation was laid when Denmark provided essential support for the establishment of the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) in Chennai.
The scale of progress has been staggering. India now boasts nearly 60 GW of installed wind capacity—a figure that is approximately eight times the total capacity of Denmark. This growth underscores India's ambition and the effectiveness of the long-term partnership.
"Our energy partnership with India is one of Denmark's largest with any country. India brings scale, ambition, and a rapidly expanding market. Denmark brings experience, technology, and a strong tradition of cooperation between government, business and research," stated Minister Martin Lidegaard.
Driving the Green Transition through Sector Coupling
During the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026, Minister Lidegaard opened a dedicated country session titled "A Green Transition through Sector Coupling." The session gathered senior officials and experts from both nations to debate how the integration of different energy systems and the adoption of new technologies could speed up the shift to green energy.
The core objective of these discussions was to enhance energy security, boost economic competitiveness, and build resilience through closer international cooperation.
Insights from the IEA and Global Impact
A key highlight of the visit was the launch of an International Energy Agency (IEA) report on India's renewable energy market, which was co-funded by Denmark. The report reveals a massive surge in growth, noting that India's renewable energy capacity has quadrupled over the last ten years, now exceeding 300 GW.
The IEA report serves as a roadmap, analyzing the policies that drove this growth, identifying existing hurdles, and pinpointing new opportunities for expansion.
Denmark's Global Commitment via the ISA
Denmark's commitment extends beyond bilateral ties. The country is currently the second-largest government contributor to the International Solar Alliance (ISA) outside of India. Denmark's support for the ISA focuses heavily on capacity building and previous research into green hydrogen.
Denmark's influence in solar energy is also felt in Africa, where it has funded two Solar Technology and Application Resource (STAR) Centres in Tanzania and Ghana. Furthermore, a DKK 20 million program for 2024-2026 is dedicated to enhancing solar energy skills and knowledge for technicians, financial institution staff, and government officials.
The Bigger Picture: Bharat Mandapam Events
These developments unfolded against the backdrop of several major events held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from November 2 to 5. These included:
- The Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026.
- The 9th General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance.
- The 4th International Conference on Green Hydrogen.