US-India form Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform

On August 29, 2023, a meeting was held between the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, to launch the US-India Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership.

In this context, RETAP was announced in the meeting between US President Joseph R Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC on June 22, 2023.

• Modi-Biden had announced an expansion of cooperation on new and emerging technologies to accelerate clean energy. The launch was to turn the vision of both the leaders into reality.

Objective of Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP):

• RETAP aims to advance the deployment and promotion of new and emerging renewable energy technologies.
• RETAP's initial focus is on green/clean hydrogen, wind power, long-term energy storage and in the future to explore mutually determined geothermal energy, ocean/tidal energy and other emerging technologies.
• DOE and MNRE have submitted a preliminary outline of work regarding the Re-TAP collaboration. This work will be done under five themes:
  • Research & Development
  • Operation and testing of innovative technologies
  • Advanced Training & Skill Development
  • Policy and plan to take forward RET and enabling technologies
  • Investment, Incubation and Outreach Program
• The delegations shared information about emerging technology developments in each country during the meeting, including hydrogen, energy storage, wind, geothermal energy and marine renewable energy technologies and clean energy deployment programs.
• DOE and MNRE aim to enhance RETAP collaboration, potentially including the formation of a RETAP Steering Committee, joint working groups and collaboration between subject matter experts.