The Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) organised a Subgroup III meeting on the topic of "Energy Efficiency" on 7 June 2023 in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Nicolin, Deputy Director General, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and Shri Abhay Bakre, Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Indian Ministry of Power (MoP). Among other things, both discussed the decarbonisation of industry in India. A corresponding study is to be driven forward by the IGEF. 

Co-Chair Shri Bakre welcomed all the participants from Germany and India and briefed his German Counterpart on recent updates regarding the energy sector in India. He also pointed out India’s ambitious targets on energy efficiency and decarbonisation until 2030 and highlighted the honor of being this year’s host of the G20. Co-Chair Mr. Nicolin also welcomed all the participants and briefed his Indian counterpart on developments in energy efficiency and electrification of different sectors in Germany.

Next, Mr. Tobias Winter, Director, IGEF,  gave a short overview on the decisions taken from the last Subgroup III Meeting in June 2022 and discussed the developments and current status of the activities under the subgroup. As cooling being one of the activities, the extension of the district cooling project and the set up of a competence and knowledge center on district cooling in India was announced. Ms. Anneli Stutz also gave some insight on the delegation on district cooling in Singapore.

During the thematic exchange on energy efficiency in industry, Mr. Himanshu Chaudhary, Sector Expert, BEE, gave a short presentation on the steel sector and its latest developments in India. Mr. Malte Bornkamm afterwards also updated everyone on the current state of steel in Germany. Both the experts also touched the topic of green steel and the needs in order to decarbonise the steel industry. A joint Indo-German Workshop on Green Steel was proposed. 

Mr. Jayakrishnan Nair, PwC, gave a presentation on the outcomes of the study “Decarbonising India – Study on the potential for electrification across India’s Economy & Assessment of electricity needs”.  The study explores the question how far the energy demand of India can be electrified by 2070 either directly or indirectly through technologies like electrolysis to produce green hydrogen. Additionally, the study quantifies the renewable capacity additions needed to decarbonise India with the technologies selected as the most viable options.

At the end, the preparation of the upcoming 10^th Indo-German Energy Forum was discussed. It was agreed upon that the IGEF will support the organisation of the event.

Both Co-Chairs appreciated the outcomes of the Subgroup III meeting. On behalf of the Indian Ministry of Power, Government of India, Shri Bakre thanked his Co-Chair and the participants for a meaningful meeting. Both Co-Chairs look forward to further fruitful cooperation.