India-Saudi Green Hydrogen & Grid Collaboration

India-Saudi Green Hydrogen

India-Saudi Green Hydrogen: India and Saudi Arabia have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a secure supply chain for green hydrogen and to cooperate on power grid interconnection. This significant agreement was ratified during the MENA Climate Week 2023 in Riyadh, with India’s Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, representing their respective countries. This MoU lays the foundation for multifaceted collaboration in the energy sector between these two nations.

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A Framework for Partnership

The Ministry of Power outlined the key areas of cooperation within the MoU:

Electrical Interconnection: The agreement aims to establish a framework for electrical interconnection between India and Saudi Arabia, enabling the exchange of electricity during peak demand and emergencies, enhancing grid stability for both nations.

Co-development of Projects: India and Saudi Arabia intend to collaborate on various energy projects, fostering joint initiatives within the renewable energy sector, thereby contributing to sustainable energy generation.

Green/Clean Hydrogen and Renewable Energy: The MoU emphasizes the co-production of green and clean hydrogen, along with the utilization of renewable energy sources. Both nations acknowledge the importance of sustainable energy production and are dedicated to advancing in this field.

Secure Supply Chains: Ensuring secure, reliable, and resilient supply chains for materials crucial to green/clean hydrogen production and the renewable energy sector is a critical component of this agreement.

Building upon Prior Agreements

This MoU builds upon a previous substantial energy cooperation agreement signed by India and Saudi Arabia. Just a month earlier, both countries had committed to cooperation in various energy domains, encompassing renewable energy, energy efficiency, grid interconnection, strategic petroleum reserves, and energy security.

India’s Ambitious Grid Interconnection Plans

India has been actively exploring options to connect its national power grid with those of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Singapore through subsea cables. This ambitious endeavor aims to facilitate the sharing of power resources across regions, thereby reducing the need for costly renewable energy storage solutions and enhancing the reliability of power grids.

India’s pursuit of grid interconnectivity aligns with its long-term economic and energy security goals. Under the “One Sun One World One Grid” (OSOWOG) initiative, India envisions establishing a global power grid that connects countries to facilitate efficient energy sharing and sustainability.

B2B Collaboration and Value Chains: India-Saudi Green Hydrogen

To fully harness the potential of energy sector cooperation, both nations have agreed to organize Business-to-Business (B2B) Business Summits and engage in regular interactions. These initiatives will play a crucial role in establishing comprehensive supply and value chains across various facets of energy collaboration.

India’s Dedication to Sustainable Energy

During the MENA Climate Week 2023 in Riyadh, Union Minister RK Singh underscored India’s leadership in the energy transition. He highlighted India’s commitment to reducing the emission intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 and striving for Net Zero emissions by 2070. With nearly 17% of the world’s population and ranking as the fifth-largest global economy, India’s role in shaping the energy landscape is of paramount importance.

The Global Biofuels Alliance: India-Saudi Green Hydrogen

Minister Singh extended an invitation to MENA countries to join the recently established Global Biofuels Alliance. Launched during the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9, this alliance comprises 19 countries and 12 international organizations, with India, Brazil, and the US serving as founding members. Its mission is to promote international cooperation in sustainable biofuels development and deployment.

While several G20 member countries and invitees have already joined the alliance, Saudi Arabia, a prominent oil producer in the West Asian region, has yet to become a member.

Priti Palit

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