U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations; GS3/ Renewable Energy

In News

• The Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial between the United States and India focused on strengthening cooperation in clean energy innovation, energy security, and the clean energy transition. 

About

• The meeting reviewed key achievements and future initiatives across five core pillars: Power and Energy Efficiency, Responsible Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Emerging Fuels & Technologies, and Sustainable Growth.
• The US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) enhances bilateral cooperation on clean energy, focusing on power, energy efficiency, renewable energy, emerging technologies, and sustainable growth. 

Key Highlights of SCEP

• Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP): Launched in August 2023, RETAP focuses on developing actionable roadmaps for hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal technologies.
• Energy Storage Task Force: This public-private initiative aims to address policy, safety, and regulatory issues while exploring long-duration energy storage alternatives beyond lithium-ion technologies.
  • Projects like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Assam and Haryana are already in motion, focusing on grid integration and renewable energy storage.
• Modernisation of Power Distribution: The meeting highlighted India’s efforts in smart metering, power market reforms, and the Indian Railways’ net-zero emissions target by 2030.
  • India has pioneered the procurement of 1.5 GW of round-the-clock renewable energy.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Transport Electrification: A comprehensive workshop was launched to advance SAF R&D, certification, and partnerships.
  • India’s PM eBus Sewa scheme targets the deployment of 10,000 electric buses, accelerating electrification in medium- and heavy-duty transport.
• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) & Methane Abatement: Increased cooperation on CCUS technologies and regulatory frameworks, alongside methane abatement efforts in the oil and gas sector through collaboration with India’s Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.
• Public-Private Collaborations: The role of public-private dialogues was emphasized in shaping policies and reducing clean energy technology costs. 

Need For Clean Energy

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping to combat global warming and environmental degradation.
• Decreases dependency on finite fossil fuels.
• Clean energy reduces air and water pollution, improving overall health outcomes.
• Investments in renewable energy create jobs and foster long-term economic stability.
• Help in role in achieving SDGs like clean energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13)

Initiatives

• International Solar Alliance (ISA): A global coalition led by India, promoting solar energy through collaborative efforts across solar-rich countries.
• Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP): A US-India initiative focused on hydrogen, energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal technologies.
• Green Hydrogen Mission (India): Launched to promote the use of green hydrogen as a clean energy alternative, particularly in heavy industries and transportation.
• EU’s Green Deal: A European Union strategy aimed at making Europe climate-neutral by 2050 through clean energy investments and policies.
• PM KUSUM Scheme (India): Supports solar power generation for irrigation in agriculture, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in farming operations.

Source: PIB