India and France have announced quite a few collaborations together lately to battle climate change affecting the world. The latest Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between India’s Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), Commissariat a l energieatomique et aux energies alternatives (CEA), a French state-owned research entity, and BlueStorage SAS, a French Company. The MoU will help in strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and France for the expansion of e-mobility.

The objective of the MoU is to define the modalities of discussions concerning the future collaboration in a pilot project to provide SECI an e-vehicle charging station with embedded batteries, powered by solar panels and optimized connection to the grid. The collaboration aims to extend France’s support to the Indian government’s ambitious plan for the deployment of electrical vehicles by maximizing solar mobility and minimizing its grid impact.

This cooperation is another example of India’s and France’s growing closeness to each other in taking climate action. Recently, India’s Union Cabinet approved an MoU between India and France in the field of energy efficiency. This MoU is a science and technology agreement, which involves knowledge exchange and cooperation in the form of technical assistance. The MoU is expected to take forward information exchange on policies, programs, and technologies relating to enhanced energy efficiency and demand side management.

Prior to that, the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous body formed under the MNRE, signed an MoU with France’s National Solar Energy Institute (INES). The MoU identified various areas of cooperation which would help the growth of clean energy in both countries. Both the countries also agreed to work with International Solar Alliance (ISA) member nations and implement pilot projects.

In May 2018, India signed a MoU with France to cooperate in the field of renewable energy. Through the signed MoU, the two countries promised to work to establish a cooperative institutional relationship to promote technical bilateral cooperation on renewable energy issues.