IIT-Madras & Denmark Firm Sign Pact for Renewable Energy

Denmark & IIT-M partnership

The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-Madras) has signed a pact with Denmark to conduct research projects on next-generation fuels and energy systems under the ‘Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership’. The pact was signed in the presence of Danish Crown Prince Frederik Andre Henrik Christian, Denmark Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard, and Tamil Nadu Industries Department, Additional Chief Secretary S.Krishnan.

As per the agreement, four projects have been launched aiming to accelerate technology development through industry-academia government partnerships and collaborations with global partners to develop technology solutions in energy.

The press release further stated that Denmark will be collaborating on a plan to establish the first offshore wind farm in the State of Tamil Nadu. Around 15 offshore locations have been identified to establish wind turbines. Besides this, Danfoss, a Denmark company has also partnered with IIT Madras to promote co-operation in engineering education and scientific research that would focus on drinking water for coastal regions using renewable energy.

Commenting on the pact, Additional Chief Secretary S.Krishnan, said, ”Today, we are on the cusp of an important relationship between Tamil Nadu and Denmark- in the areas of clean energy and how to tackle climate change. Tamil Nadu continues to be a leader in renewable energy.” He further informed that more than fifty percent of the installed capacity in Tamil Nadu is from renewable energy sources with potential for expansion in wind, solar and green hydrogen.

It should be noted that in the year 2020, India and Denmark were in the limelight for introducing a unique initiative—the Green Strategic Partnership, a novel arrangement that prioritizes green and sustainable development as the core area of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Last year, The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) published an offshore wind plan for 15 locations in India. The initiative was a part of the Centre of Excellence for Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy, a joint initiative by the two countries.