Powering the Future: India and Germany Celebrate 20 Years of Energy Cooperation
India and Germany mark two decades of the Indo-German Energy Forum, focusing on green hydrogen and renewable energy for a sustainable future.
New Delhi recently became the center of a significant diplomatic and industrial milestone as the Indo-German energy cooperation celebrated its 20th anniversary. An anniversary evening hosted at the German Embassy marked two decades of strategic partnership through the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF), reflecting on a journey that has evolved from foundational pilots to shaping national energy policies.
A Legacy of Partnership: From Hannover to New Delhi
The celebrations, themed "Indo-German Energy Forum – Navigating from Past to Present, with Optimism for the Future," brought together a distinguished gathering of senior government officials, industry titans, and long-term partners. The evening featured a visual timeline titled "20 Years of IGEF – A Walk Down Memory Lane" and a special anniversary film highlighting the milestones achieved since the forum's inception.
German Ambassador Jasper Wieck recalled the origins of the partnership, noting that the IGEF was established in 2006 by then-Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the Hannover Trade Fair. Ambassador Wieck described the forum as a "true success story," emphasizing that while the achievements in renewable energy, battery storage, and energy efficiency are measurable, the most valuable outcome has been the creation of mutual trust and strong professional networks.
The Architecture of the Forum
The IGEF operates as a collaborative bridge anchored by two major government bodies: India’s Ministry of Power (MoP) and Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). The forum is steered by a high-level body co-chaired at the Secretary level, ensuring that strategic goals are aligned at the highest administrative tiers.
To maintain a focused and technical approach, the forum's agenda is driven by five specialized subgroups:
- Renewable Energies: Expanding the footprint of clean power.
- Green Hydrogen: Developing the next frontier of sustainable fuel.
- Energy Efficiency: Optimizing consumption and reducing waste.
- Grid Integration and Green Energy Financing: Ensuring the infrastructure can support a green transition.
- Flexibilisation of Existing Thermal Power Plants: Making traditional plants more adaptable to renewable energy surges.
Green Hydrogen: The New Frontier
A major highlight of the current cooperation is the focus on Green Hydrogen. Gunther Grathwohl, from Germany's BMWE, identified green hydrogen as the "natural next frontier" for the partnership. He noted that by connecting industrial clusters, aligning regulatory standards, and reducing investment risks, both nations are laying the groundwork for large-scale sustainable energy trade.
This vision was solidified with the launch of the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap on October 25, 2024, during the 7th India–Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations. This roadmap was the result of extensive work by the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force, which received critical support from the IGEF.
Industry Perspectives and the Road Ahead
The event featured a dynamic fireside chat titled "20 Years. 20 Minutes. Our Journey with IGEF," moderated by Hari Natrajan. The panel included industry leaders JT Verghese (former Chairman of STEAG Energy Services India), Vivek Saraf (Founder & CEO of SunSeed APV), and Rashi Gupta (Director of Vision Mechatronics Private Limited).
The discussion revealed how the forum's engagement has shifted over two decades—moving from simple software pilots to influencing national policies on Agri-PV and thermal plant flexibilisation. The panelists stressed that the next phase of cooperation must focus on:
- Establishing institutional frameworks for IP-sharing.
- Developing domestic testing infrastructure.
- Creating scalable commercial business models to ensure mutual energy independence.
As the partnership enters its third decade, the ambition is no longer just about expanding renewable energy, but about co-building the industrial value chains that will define the global energy landscape of the future.