India and the European Union

Cooperation between India and the European Union (EU) in the energy sector is guided by the India – EU Energy Panel. The Energy Panel is led by MEA from the Indian side. The last meeting of the Panel was held on 26/10/2016, to discuss cooperation in the field of energy.

The Panel broadly agreed to achieve the target outlined through a work plan 2016-18. It was also decided to add clean energy and climate partnership in addition to exploring possible cooperation on energy efficiency in industry, exchanges on storage, battery technology and electric vehicles, enhancing the flexibility of thermal power plants and finally support the financing of investments in RE's Projects. The work plan was proposed to be executed through joint working groups:

• JWG on Energy Security (co-chairs: DG ENER and MEA/ MoPNG).
• JWG on Renewable Energy (co-chairs: DG ENER and MNRE).
• JWG on Energy Efficiency, Smart Grids and Electricity Markets (co-chairs: DG ENER and MoP).
• JWG on Clean Coal (co-chairs: DG ENER and MoP + MoC).

The first meeting of Joint Working Group on “Energy Efficiency, Smart Grids and Electricity Markets” with the EU was held on 15.03.2019 in New Delhi.

The second meeting of Joint Working Group on “Energy Efficiency, Smart Grids and Electricity Markets” with the EU was held virtually on 04.12.2020. The meeting was chaired by Additional Secretary (Internal Co-operation), Ministry of Power, Govt. of India and Head of Unit International Relations (ENER) from EU side.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power and EU successfully organized the second virtual meeting of the Common Implementation Forum (knowledge exchange forum between BEE, EU, Indian states, EU Member States) on 17.11.2021 as part of EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (CECP).

In the area of electrification, one strategy study was delivered, which subsequently was discussed with relevant stakeholders in a stakeholder consultation/webinar. The strategy titled ‘Elements of Electrification Strategy for India’ explores the current status, relevant policies and potential for economy-wide electrification in India and presents recommendations for deep electrification based on learnings from relevant technological, market- and policy-level advances in Europe to achieve the same. The study was discussed with relevant stakeholders from various ministries, think tanks and industry associations in a webinar.