Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is in India to try and drive UK export growth, through clean energy, creating jobs, boosting exports and accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels.
During a visit to New Delhi, Ed Miliband backed British businesses at India Energy Week, a major international energy event.
With India projected to become the world’s fourth-largest importer by 2035, UK firms are looking to take advantage of massive investment in renewables, from offshore wind and solar to battery storage and hydrogen.
Mr Miliband met with UK companies already using British technology to speed up India’s transition to clean power. The visit was part of the UK government’s plan for change, which aims to place British businesses at the heart of the global race for renewables.
Both countries agreed on a new shared ambition for offshore wind, including a UK-India offshore wind taskforce to strengthen supply chains and financing models.
The UK will also provide funding through UKPACT to support power sector reforms in India, focusing on grid transformation as the country ramps up its renewables rollout.
The UK and India are strengthening our partnership under our Plan for Change to unlock investment and accelerate the global transition to clean, secure, affordable energy.
Both our countries are determined to address the climate emergency to protect our way of life, while reaping the rewards of the industrial and economic opportunity of our time.”
Ed Miliband
The Energy Secretary took part in the fourth UK-India Energy Dialogue with India’s Minister of Power, Manohar Lal Khattar (pictured). They discussed accelerating the smart power and renewable energy in India (Aspire) programme, which will be extended to ensure round-the-clock clean power, accelerate industrial decarbonisation and increase renewables deployment.
This builds on last year’s technology security initiative, which saw the UK and India collaborate on innovation, including using AI to increase energy resilience and securing critical minerals needed for wind turbines and battery storage.
The talks come ahead of expected negotiations between the two nations on a free trade agreement and bilateral investment treaty at the end of the month.
A deal could open the door for UK companies to scale up trade in renewable technologies and sustainable materials, further boosting Britain’s clean energy industry.
India is one of the world’s biggest emitters, making its shift to renewables a key part of the global fight against climate change.
With more than 650 UK companies operating in India and more than 950 Indian firms based in the UK, the partnership is already driving economic growth and innovation.
For British businesses, Labour says India’s clean energy expansion represents a massive opportunity to export world-leading technology, cementing the UK’s position as a clean energy powerhouse while helping to cut emissions on a global scale.
