The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has signed two agreements with the Ministry of Energy and Mining of The Republic of Peru and the National Solar Energy Institute (INES) of France for the expansion of renewable energy.

Under the agreement between India and Peru, both governments will work towards scientific and technical cooperation in new and renewable energy. It will include the exchange and training of scientific and technical staff,  the sharing of technical and scientific information, and related activities.

A joint committee will be formed to coordinate the activities under the agreement. The activities will include identifying the areas of mutual interest for the development of technologies, monitoring and evaluating the cooperation activities, deciding on project proposals, etc.

The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous body formed under the MNRE, has also signed an MoU with France’s National Solar Energy Institute (INES). Both these organisations conduct research and develop renewable energy projects in their respective countries.

The MoU has identified various areas of cooperation which would help the growth of clean energy in both countries. Both the countries have also agreed to work with International Solar Alliance (ISA) member nations and implement pilot projects.

Priority areas of the group include the development of high efficiency solar PV cells, cooperating in the testing and evolution of solar PV systems, storage technologies, and the transfer of technologies, etc. The cooperation will also work to map India’s solar energy resources and identify sites for large-scale solar projects.  Additionally, the collaboration will focus on the exchange of scientists, capacity building, specialized training, and bilateral acceptance of testing standards.

Of late, India has entered into an agreement with a number of countries for the expansion of renewable energy. In May 2018, India signed an MoU with France to cooperate in the field of renewable energy. Before this, Mercom reported that the government of India signed MoU to cooperate in the field of renewable energy with Greece, Fiji, Morocco, and Guyana

These agreements reflect India’s desire to strengthen its leadership role in climate action and its ability to bring tangible changes via the ISA. The ISA became a juridical personality in March 2018 following the signing of a Host Country Agreement with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

In October India ratified the Paris Climate Accord, thereby setting a goal to generate 40 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources.

India currently is the third largest solar market in the world and has installed close to 10 GW of solar in 2017.