India-Japan Energy Dialogue confirms six MoUs implemented, Energy Conservation Law in place

The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy efficiency, electricity, coal, renewable energy, and petroleum sectors, including specific projects and capacity building initiatives.

Who it concerns: The agreement involves the Planning Commission of India, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan, the Ministry of Power, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the Ministry of Coal, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Ministry of External Affairs. It affects the energy sector, specifically industries in iron & steel, cement, power generation, coal mining, and renewable energy, as well as Japanese and Indian private companies and organizations such as NEDO, JOGMEC, ONGC Videsh Limited, and TERI.

What was agreed

• METI will provide training on energy efficiency and conservation policy and technology for 200 trainees over the next three years.
• METI will dispatch a long-term expert to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) of India through the Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ).
• A new feasibility study on a coal preparation model project will be conducted by NEDO and the Ministry of Coal of India.
• METI and NEDO will launch a small expert training program exclusively for Indian trainees in clean coal technology (CCT) starting in the current fiscal year.
• Both sides agreed to set individual goals and formulate action plans voluntarily for improving energy efficiency based on the 'Cebu Declaration on Energy Security in East Asia'.
• METI will support enhanced cooperation between the International Energy Agency (IEA) and India in areas such as energy efficiency, conservation, and oil stockpiling.

Also in the document

• The statement highlights the enactment of India's Energy Conservation Law in 2001, which mandates energy audits and consumption norms for 15 designated energy-intensive sectors.
• Both sides welcomed the establishment of companies by private entities from both countries to manufacture and sell high-efficiency supercritical coal-fired power generation facilities.
• A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the methane hydrate field was concluded in February 2007.
• The joint statement confirms the smooth implementation of six existing Memoranda of Understanding concerning exploration, methane hydrates, Asian energy markets, hydrogen, energy efficiency, and strategic oil reserves.