India’s external affairs ministry in March 2022, published the specifications of the Clean Energy Partnership between India and Japan.
This partnership would work on the agenda covered in the India-Japan Energy Dialogue 2007 and will subsequently expand into areas of mutual benefit. India and Japan have made important strides in developing the vision of a secure, resilient, sustainable energy network.
India has set an ambitious target of achieving net zero by 2070. Japan has initiated a goal of becoming net zero by 2050. The countries are utilizing new technologies and economic models that would help reduce emissions.
This provides significant opportunities to improve bilateral cooperation towards clean and sustainable energy transitions.
India and Japan have now taken over the presidentship of G20 and G7, respectively and for India, Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) is one of the most important priorities during the G20 presidency.
The Indian subcontinent’s massive renewable energy potential can boost green hydrogen (GH2) production and immense potential for a GH2 economy. For example, Nepal and Bhutan have surplus hydropower potential and green hydrogen electrolysers can tap this in countries like India and Bangladesh.
The latter can also import renewable energy from India. The clean surplus hydropower from the countries in the region can be exported and GH2 can be generated. This would reduce the transportation cost and help lower the energy generation cost. Japan and India can also play an important role in clean energy transitions in south Asia.