India and UAE Sign Agreement on Green Hydrogen Development and Under Sea Cable Connectivity
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached an agreement to collaborate on green hydrogen development and the laying of an undersea cable connecting India to the UAE under Prime Minister Modi’s “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative. The Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy RK Singh and UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei signed the agreement during a meeting to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the field of power and renewable energy.
The “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative is a global alliance of countries committed to the development of solar energy and its integration into their respective national power grids. The initiative aims to provide clean and affordable energy to all, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The agreement between India and the UAE is a significant step towards achieving these goals, as it will facilitate the exchange of renewable energy between the two countries and support the transition to a cleaner energy mix.
During the meeting, both sides also discussed the launch of a feasibility study on the sub-sea cable between India and the UAE under the “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative. The undersea cable will help to transmit renewable energy from one country to another and increase the share of clean energy in the power mix.
In addition to the agreement on green hydrogen and the undersea cable, the two ministers also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Green Hydrogen Development and Investment. Green hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources and is considered a key technology in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The collaboration between India and the UAE will help to accelerate the development of this technology and promote its use in the region.
India and the UAE have both taken a lead in the development of renewables at low costs. While the bilateral energy relationship has historically centred around the oil and gas sector, the two countries are moving towards a strong relationship in the field of power as well as renewables. This is evident from the fact that India has already achieved its target of 40% of its electric power generation capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030, nine years ahead of schedule.
India has also undertaken the goal of becoming net zero by 2070 and is working on its way to fulfilling other commitments underlined under the Paris Climate Agreement. India is also moving towards the Mission announced by Prime Minister Modi and the UN Secretary-General in October last year, called Mission LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment. Mission Life is an approach of propagating a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation, essential to combating climate change.
The agreement between India and the UAE on green hydrogen development and the undersea cable is a significant step towards achieving the goals of the “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative. It will facilitate the exchange of renewable energy between the two countries and support the transition to a cleaner energy mix. The collaboration on green hydrogen and the feasibility study on the undersea cable will also help to accelerate the development of these technologies and promote their use in the region. India’s achievement of its target of 40% of its electric power generation capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030, nine years ahead of schedule and its goal of becoming net zero by 2070, is a testament to its commitment to transitioning to a cleaner energy mix.
