Since 2006
India and Germany Join Forces to Accelerate the Global Energy Transition
- German renewable energy companies increasingly view India as a reliable long-term business partner. More than 30 German companies from the wind and solar sectors exhibited at major trade fairs such as Windergy India 2025 and the Renewable Energy India Expo 2025, highlighting strong bilateral industry engagement.
- Green hydrogen exports to Europe remained a high priority for Indian project developers, particularly under Germany’s H2Global mechanism.
- Grid flexibilisation was a central pillar of India’s energy transition strategy. The government was introducing new policy frameworks and support mechanisms for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and pumped storage projects. At the same time, flexibilisation of the existing coal-fired fleet remained essential. Technical feasibility and implementation pathways were being addressed through industry workshops and policy dialogues.
Energy security
Decarbonisation
Foreign Trade Promotion
The Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) was focused on key areas of shared interest, such as renewable energy, opportunities for business cooperation, hydrogen and power sector flexibilisation.
Private sector cooperation
Creating business opportunities for Indian and German energy companies remained a core part of cooperation.
In 2025 alone, the Indo-German Energy Forum organised or supported more than 100 events and government and business delegations involving stakeholders from both countries. The Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) played an important role in implementing many of these activities.
A key highlight was the joint German Pavilion at Windergy India, India’s leading wind energy conference, inaugurated by a high-level German government delegation from the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The event also included a business-to-governement (B2G) roundtable with more than 15 German companies as well as representatives from German and Indian wind energy associations.
Green hydrogen certification: A foundation for global trade
India continued to give high priority to hydrogen exports, with Germany and the EU as important partners under the EU’s certification framework of Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO).
In 2025, India launched its green hydrogen certification framework for domestic use. To increase investment certainty and planning certainty in both markets, it was important to address certification challenges, working towards closer alignment between Indian and European schemes, especially for private sector actors.
In cooperation with the International Hydrogen Ramp-Up Programme (H2Uppp), IGEF continued to promote dialogue between governments, the private sector and the European Union. This included organising events at national and international conferences and publishing information papers.
Flexibilisation is key
In 2025, Indo-German Energy Forum reached important milestones in building capacity for power sector flexibilisation as an essential instrument to integrate more renewable energies into India’s coal based power sector. A multi-day simulator training program with German company STEAG and the European power plant association vgbe energy e.V., based on a modern 660 MW coal-fired power plant, took place with support from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and the Excellence Enhancement Centre (EEC) Additional workshops, webinars and a delegation visit to Germany, supported by the EEC, CEA and vgbe energy e.V., further strengthened institutional cooperation.
To show the important role of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in improving grid stability and integrating renewable energy, IGEF, with KfW and the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP), organised a delegation visit in India that brought together international experts.
More information
1. What has been the most tangible outcome or impact of your partnership activities in 2025?
- Strengthened dialogue on green hydrogen certification and exports opportunities to Europe, including support for the Hintco H2Global roadshow in India. The initiative promoted market-based hydrogen trading mechanisms and facilitated Indo-European hydrogen partnerships in the emerging hydrogen economy.
- Established a simulator-based training programme on the flexibilisation of existing coal-fired power plants, developed jointly with German technical expertise and Indian partners. The programme is designed for long-term continuation by the partner institutions.
The initiative was complemented by further dialogue activities, including two dedicated workshops with the European power plant association vgbe energy e.V, engaging more than 140 representatives from India’s power generation sector on the topic of flexibilisation. - Strengthened dialogue on the grid integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and intensifyed cooperation with the German industry association Bundesverband Energiespeicher Systeme (BVES). The cooperation aims to support knowledge exchange while creating market access opportunities for German companies in India’s rapidly growing energy storage sector.
- Convened more than 15 German CEOs from the wind industry, alongside Indian and German wind associations and representatives of the German government, to discuss market opportunities and regulatory challenges. The exchange took place on the sidelines of the German Pavilion at Windergy India, strengthening bilateral industry cooperation in the wind sector.
- A “CEO Roundtable on Green Hydrogen and its Financing in India” was organised jointly with KfW during the visit of KfW Banking Group CEO Mr. Stefan Wintels to India. The roundtable brought together 14 CEOs from leading Indian and German companies, including Siemens Energy and Thyssenkrupp Nucera. The event was also attended by the Mission Director of the National Green Hydrogen Mission at Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Mr. Abhay Bakre, the Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy in India, and representatives of Indo-German Chamber of Commerce.
- Facilitated strong participation from India in Phase II of the KfW PtX Development Fund Expression of Interest (EOI). India accounted for 20% of all applications among submissions from seven partner countries. This was achieved by disseminating project and tender information to German and Indian companies through 2 targeted webinars, business roundtables, and multiple bilateral meetings.
2. Which focus areas were particularly relevant for your country in 2025?
- Green Hydrogen certification and international trade
- Flexibilisation of existing coal-fired power plants
- Grid integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- Wind energy – opportunities and challenges for German companies
- Joining forces with German industry associations such as VDMA e.V. and Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft (BSW), as well as the International Solar Alliance, to advance cooperation on solar manufacturing in India
- Initiating dialogue on critical mineral processing in India and exploring related opportunities for German companies as preparation for further engagement in 2026
3. How did your activities contribute to the selected overarching goals (energy security, decarbonisation, foreign trade promotion)?
Supported the H2Global Roadshow and facilitated exchanges on RFNBO certification to promote green hydrogen exports from India to Europe/ Germany, contributing to energy security.
Facilitated Indo-German business cooperation in the fields of wind, solar, energy storage, and green hydrogen, and supported the participation of German companies at Indian trade fairs and roundtables in cooperation with AHK India.
Organised simulator training sessions, workshops, and study tours on the flexibilisation of existing coal-fired power plants to demonstrate flexible plant operation. This will help integrate a higher share of renewable energy into the grid, supporting decarbonisation.
4. What concrete activities are planned for 2026?
All major activities in all five of IGEF Subgroups are anticipated to be continued in 2026. New activities are currently being planned and initiated within the respective subgroups. Furthermore, participation, is planned for following key conferences, for example through roundtables, delegations and/ or German private sector pavilions:
- 02/2026: Intersolar India (German pavilion, solar roundtable)
- 03/2026: Bharat Electricity Summit (German pavilion, potentially roundtable)
- 04/2026: Hannover Messe (Indian delegation, study tour, IGEF 20th anniversary event)
- 06/2026: Intersolar München (Indian delegation, lunch networking event, roundtable “Trade Agreement and beyond: India Business Opportunities”, study tour)
- 09/2026: Study tour to Germany on the topic of flexibilisation of the energy systems
In addition, 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the Indo-German Energy Forum. This milestone will be celebrated through a series of dedicated events and initiatives throughout the year. The activities will also be closely aligned with the upcoming 8th Indo-German Intergovernmental Consultations, reinforcing the strategic importance of the partnership and creating additional momentum for continued collaboration.
