India, Australia Team Up To Drive Solar Manufacturing Investments

By Chitrika Grover/ Updated On Wed, Nov 20th, 2024

Highlights :

One of the key early projects under the partnership is the establishment next year of the India-Australia Rooftop Solar Academy. Australia will partner with India’s Skill Council for Green Jobs and the private sector to train 2000 young Indian technicians on solar PV.

India, Australia Team Up To Drive Solar Manufacturing Investments

India has recently partnered with Australia through the launch of the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership. This initiative aims to enhance two-way investments in renewable energy projects. This includes solar manufacturing, battery and mineral processing, green hydrogen, and green iron.

In a media statement Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister highlighted the importance of building the future renewable energy workforce. This includes significance in skills and training, and ultimately unlocks economic opportunities to support the net zero transition. Elaborating on the key initiative he said, “One of the key early projects under the partnership is the establishment next year of the India-Australia Rooftop Solar Academy. Australia will partner with India’s Skill Council for Green Jobs and the private sector. This is to train 2000 young Indian technicians on solar PV. We’ll bring our expertise in training, curriculum development and our extensive experience on rooftop solar. The Academy aligns with India’s own initiative to install rooftop solar for 10 million households over just the next few years.”

Australia-India Relationship

He explained, “This is a great example of practical cooperation between our two countries to develop the skills for the renewables workforce of the future. Australia’s relationship with India is also vital to regional security and stability. In the last two years this was my eleventh meeting with my friend, Albanese. This is a symbol of new energy in our bilateral relations. After ECTA came into force in the last two years, our bilateral trade saw a 40 per cent increase.”

Expanding on the recent area of cooperation the minister said, “Today, we had detailed discussions on our relations. Next year, our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will complete its five years. Defence industry, critical minerals, renewable energy, ship building, space and sports are areas where we will work on exploring new opportunities of cooperation. We will work on a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. PM Albanese has assured me of his commitment to the interests of the Indian community, especially Indian students in Australia.”