In an important step to advance cooperation in the field of renewable energy, Mr. Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), Govt. of Germany, visited India recently on the occasion of India’s G20 presidency. The delegation participated in several events organised in New Delhi, Goa, Pune, and Chennai, including the official G20 and Clean Energy Ministerial Meetings (CEM). The objective was to gain a better understanding of the Indian energy sector and explore opportunities for cooperation between both countries.

In Delhi, the capital city of India, the delegation held a series of engaging meetings to gain comprehensive insight into the country's energy landscape. The visit also included a business to government roundtable on PV and Energy Storage. During this session, pertinent topics like Indian aspirations to build robust PV and Battery Storage value chains, alongside opportunities and challenges for German counterparts, took center stage. Industry players such as Bridge to India, Siemens Energy, Next2Sun, SMA, Fluence, IBC Solar, and Fraunhofer India actively engaged in these dialogues.

The delegation's stay in Delhi included a tapestry of interactions to gain a holistic view of India's energy landscape. Secretary Wenzel engaged with energy think tanks and NGOs and made a notable visit to BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) Shivalik Grid Solar PV and battery installation. This installation, the result of cooperation between Government of Germany and Government of India, symbolised the convergence of technical expertise and shared aspirations. This system has been installed with joint efforts of GIZ and BRPL. The delegation also had a moment to connect with graduates of the Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ), champions of renewable energy.

One of the highlights in Pune was a visit to the Saarloha, which is part of the Kalyani Group, and which produces green steel products using electricity produced from 100 % renewable energy sources. A business-to-government roundtable, co-hosted with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC), united industry players at the frontier of green hydrogen and green ammonia. Discussions focused on German funding mechanisms for green hydrogen projects and the fertile ground for Indo-German collaboration across the value chain.

The delegation trip culminated in Chennai, where another G20 Ministerial on Climate and Environment took place. Amidst the ministerial engagements, a visit to Flender, a leading wind energy company, demonstrated that there is a market for high quality German engineering and manufacturing of wind turbine components made in India.unveiled the intricate world of gear units for wind turbines. This immersive experience, led by CEO Mr. Vinod Shetty, provided a tangible connection to the industrial heartbeat of wind energy. In a dedicated roundtable on wind energy, German wind industry leaders stressed the need for a larger domestic wind market. The full value of wind power available especially when the sun is not shining was found to be still underestimated in India. Chennai's itinerary also included a thought-provoking excursion to the Pallikaranai Wetlands, an ecological treasure embedded in the urban landscape. Here, Minister Stefanie Lemke of the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) joined the narrative, emphasising the multiple roles of wetlands in biodiversity conservation, flood control and livelihoods.

An exceptional thematic exchange, bridging German and Indian government and fostering synergistic dialogues with the private sector, was epitomised by the visit of Parliamentary State Secretary Stefan Wenzel. The trip opened new avenues for joint progress in renewable energy and reaffirmed the mutual commitment to a sustainable and shared future.