Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, successfully concluded a significant visit to Germany from October 6th to 9th, 2024. This visit coincided with the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), emphasizing India’s dedication to global sustainability and renewable energy. It provided an important platform for discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral collaboration in the energy sector.
On October 7th, Minister Joshi delivered a keynote address at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, where he emphasized India’s pivotal role in international renewable energy initiatives and the broader energy transition. He highlighted the International Solar Alliance, which has garnered support from over 100 nations.
During his address, Joshi pointed out India’s remarkable achievements in renewable energy over the past decade, which the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly driven. He reiterated India’s strong commitment to sustainability, particularly in areas such as green shipping, and urged for stronger international cooperation to address the challenges brought about by the global energy transition.
Throughout the visit, Joshi engaged in numerous bilateral discussions with global leaders. A notable meeting was with Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where they focused on India’s burgeoning renewable energy sector and potential future collaborations aimed at sustainable development.
Furthermore, he met with Svenja Schulze, the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to discuss mutual priorities in green energy and sustainability initiatives. On the sidelines of the HSC, Joshi had the opportunity to interact with Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, exchanging pleasantries and discussing shared interests.
Additionally, he engaged with Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, to explore ways to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation in the energy sector. His discussions also included a meeting with Roberta Casali, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank, focusing on renewable energy investments in India.
Furthermore, he had fruitful conversations with Dr. Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, on the evolving global energy landscape and the strategies to support energy transitions. Minister Joshi also met with Anneliese Dodds, the UK’s Minister of Development, where they deliberated on enhancing international cooperation for a more sustainable future.
His discussions with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), revolved around the IMF’s role in facilitating global sustainability projects. He also had a significant meeting with Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, to discuss India’s emerging leadership in the green energy domain.
During his time in Berlin, Union Minister Joshi was graciously welcomed by Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Dr. Habeck provided a special guided tour of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, where he commended the impressive growth of India’s renewable energy sector over the last decade.
He expressed optimism regarding India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 GW from renewable energy sources. Joshi took to X to share insights from his bilateral discussions, stating, “I held a productive meeting with Dr Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, on the sidelines of #HSC2024.”
He added, “Our dialogue focused on enhancing collaboration in renewable energy, exploring opportunities in green hydrogen, offshore wind, biogas, and the recycling of solar waste. We are pleased to see the progress in India and Germany’s cooperation on energy transition and expressed confidence that India will emerge as a reliable supplier of green hydrogen for Germany in the coming years.”
Moreover, during his stay in Berlin, Joshi engaged with members of the Indian diaspora at an event hosted by the Embassy of India. He praised their significant contributions to Germany’s economy and their essential role in promoting India’s presence on the global stage.
In September 2024, during the RE-INVEST 2024 conference, India and Germany had established the India-Germany Platform for Investment in Renewable Energies, symbolizing the strengthening ties between the two nations in the renewable energy sector. This platform aims to create new business opportunities and address the increasing demand for capital while supporting technology transfer and the development of innovative technical solutions in renewable energy.
Pralhad Joshi’s visit to Germany reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing its leadership role in renewable energy cooperation and energy transition initiatives. The fruitful meetings and interactions throughout the visit have established a solid foundation for deeper collaboration in energy transition, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in the quest for a sustainable future.
