India Eyes Danish Tech to Slash Industrial Energy Costs
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi invites Danish firms to help Indian industries lower energy costs and boost competitiveness through green technology.
India is setting its sights on Danish technological prowess to overhaul its industrial energy landscape. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Prahlad Joshi, has revealed that the country is looking to collaborate with Danish companies to implement energy-efficient cooling, industrial heat management, and waste heat recovery systems. The primary goal is to help domestic industries drastically reduce their energy expenditures and sharpen their global competitiveness.
Speaking at the Denmark country session during the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026, Minister Joshi emphasized that the integration of Danish expertise—particularly in digital energy management—could be a game-changer for Indian industrial efficiency.
Decoupling Growth from Emissions
A key highlight of the Minister's address was India's success in balancing rapid economic expansion with environmental responsibility. Joshi asserted that India is providing a global example by demonstrating that development and decarbonization can progress simultaneously.
To back this claim, he pointed toward the country's robust economic indicators:
- GDP Growth: A growth of 7.8 per cent recorded in the first quarter.
- Services Sector: An expansion of 10 per cent.
- Manufacturing: Gross value added (GVA) grew by 9.2 per cent.
- Trade: Exports of goods and services saw a growth of 12.2 per cent.
Joshi noted that India is effectively "decoupling" its economic growth from its emissions, proving that a rising economy does not necessarily mean a rising carbon footprint.
The Green Energy Leap
The Minister provided a detailed look at India's massive shift toward non-fossil fuel energy sources over the last decade. The transformation in installed power capacity has been stark:
- Total Non-Fossil Capacity: Jumped from 80.3 gigawatts in 2014 to 310 gigawatts today.
- Solar Power: Witnessed a meteoric rise from 2.8 gigawatts to 172 gigawatts.
- Wind Power: Expanded from 21 gigawatts to 60 gigawatts.
Notably, India has already achieved 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, hitting this milestone ahead of the target set under the Paris Agreement's nationally determined contributions.
The Road Ahead: Grid Stability and Investment
Looking toward the future, Minister Joshi called for deepened cooperation between India and Denmark to tackle the complexities of the next phase of energy transition. He identified several critical areas where Danish collaboration is sought:
- Renewable energy forecasting
- Grid balancing and the implementation of smart grids
- Advanced battery storage solutions
- Demand-side flexibility
The Minister explained that the next stage of the transition requires the seamless integration of renewable electricity across various sectors to enhance grid flexibility and ensure energy is used more efficiently.
Closing his address, Joshi extended a strong invitation to Danish financial institutions and businesses, urging them to view India not just as a partner, but as a booming market for long-term investment and clean energy manufacturing.