Energy

India - Energy overview

Country profile

• International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) Renewable Capacity Statistics 2022 published that India’s Total Renewable Energy Capacity in 2021 was 147,122MW.
• The Government of India allocated INR 6900 crores to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy,  INR 16074 crores to the Ministry of Power, INR 8939 crores to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and INR 393 crores to the Ministry of Coal for the Financial year 2022-23. 
• According to the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, India has no declared domestic reserves for the bulk of its demand for critical minerals, and is dependent on imports.

Policies and Initiatives

• The Government of India has set up Rural Electrification Cooperation (REC) to provide electricity to different sections of the society. REC is the nodal agency for schemes such as Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY),  Saubhagya (Pradhan Mantri Bijli Har Ghar Yojana), Power for All, National Electricity Fund and Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY).
• The Energy Conservation Act, 2001  was enacted with the goal of reducing the energy intensity of Indian Economy and promoting Sustainable Development.
• The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme was launched by the Government of India to promote efficient usage of electricity for all by distributing LEDs to every grid connected customer.
• Pradhan Mantri – Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahaabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) aims to enhance farmers’ energy independence, income and de-dieselise the farm sector.
• The National Solar Mission is an initiative of the Government of India to create policy conditions for diffusion of solar energy technologies across the country. The Mission is currently in its second phase.
• The National Policy on Biofuels policy aims to increase usage of biofuels in the energy and transportation sectors of India.
• The Atal Jyoti Yojana scheme was launched with the aim of installing solar street lights around the country. The scheme is currently in its second phase.
• The Green Energy Corridors Project was launched with the aim of synchronising electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, with conventional power stations.
• Apart from the above-mentioned programs, several other schemes have been launched by the Government of India. Programs to utilise available renewable sources of energy have also been launched, such as Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Small Hydro Energy, Waste Energy and Bio Energy.
• Several legislations have been passed by the Government of India with the aim to channel the electricity produced efficiently across the country.
• The National Mineral Policy 2019, was introduced to ensure effective regulation and sustainable development of the mining sector. 

Governance structure

The Energy and Power sector in India is administered and legislated by both Central and state governments. The Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy are the agencies responsible for the planning, promotion, coordination and implementation of power and energy-related  schemes, initiatives and programs. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Coal are the primary executive agencies responsible for coordination of issues related to minerals in India. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission is a statutory body and the key regulator of the power sector in India. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is a statutory agency which develops programs for conservation and efficient use of energy.  

Australia - Energy overview

Country profile

• International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) Renewable Capacity Statistics 2022 published that Australia’s Total Renewable Energy Capacity in 2021 was 36,617 MW.
• The Government of Australia allocated AUD 2.4 billion to the industry, energy and emissions reduction portfolio in 2022-23.
• Australia is one of the top mineral producers in the world and has a large resource inventory of most of the world's key minerals commodities. Australia's lithium and rare earth resources are ranked third, manganese ore and vanadium are ranked fourth and black coal is ranked fifth in the world.

Policies and initiatives

• The National Electricity Law, a schedule to the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 1996, establishes obligations in the National Electricity Market and for electricity networks. The Law is supported by the National Electricity Rules and National Electricity (South Australia) Regulations.
• The National Gas Law, a Schedule to the National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008, establishes obligations for gas pipelines, gas wholesale markets and a gas market bulletin board. The Law is supported by the National Gas Rules and National Gas (South Australia) Regulations.
• The National Energy Retail Law, a Schedule to the National Energy Retail Law (South Australia) Act 2011, regulates the supply and sale of energy to retail customers. The Law is supported by the National Energy Retail Rules and National Energy Retail Regulations.
• Part IIIAA of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 established the Australian Energy Regulator.
• The Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment Act 2004 established the Australian Energy Market Commission.
• The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water deliver a range of energy programs, supporting Australian households and businesses.

Governance structure

The energy sector in Australia is legislated and influenced by both state and federal Governments. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is the federal agency responsible for energy issues in Australia. The Australian Energy Market Commission is an independent statutory body working on amending rules for the national electricity and natural gas market. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is the national economic regulator and the body responsible for monitoring and enforcing national energy legislation. The Minerals Council of Australia is an independent body committed to contributing to the sustained growth and prosperity of minerals in Australia. The Energy National Cabinet Reform Committee (ENCRC) and the Energy Ministers’ Meeting (EMM) are Ministerial forums for the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and the Government of New Zealand, to work together in the pursuit of national energy reforms. 

Bilateral frameworks for cooperation between India and Australia

• A Joint Working Group on Energy and Minerals was established between both countries in 1999 to expand relations in the energy and resources sector. During the 9th JWC meeting in 2015 (Brisbane) new developments and opportunities in the field of energy and innovation were discussed.
• The Australia-India Energy Dialogue is a primary forum to discuss engagement on energy and sustainable resource management.
• The India-Australia Energy Security Dialogue, held from 08-11 February 2016, was attended by government delegations from both countries. The second edition of the Dialogue was held in October 2016.
• During the Joint statement on a comprehensive strategic partnership released during India-Australia Leader’s Virtual Summit on 04 June 2020, India and Australia committed to collaborate in the energy sector.
• An interim Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) gives opportunity to both the countries to invest in the energy and power sectors. 
• The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) supports scientists in India and Australia to collaborate on leading-edge research in various sectors including Clean Energy Technologies.
• Australia and India have enhanced cooperation in developing critical minerals projects and supply chains amid the shift to cleaner energy sources through a three-year India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership.

Trade and investment opportunity

• Australia’s update to the India Economic Strategy 2035 identifies energy as a priority sector. Through the strategy, Australia aims to cooperate with India on energy technologies, especially renewables and hydrogen.
• India’s Australia Economic Strategy (2020) identifies Indian opportunities for investment and partnerships in Australia’s energy sector, including renewable energy, smart grid technologies and research.
• The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)’s Renewable Energy Division and Mining division has taken up a broad spectrum of initiatives to address industry’s issues pertaining to the renewable energy sector and production of different minerals such as fuel, metallic, nuclear ore etc.
• The Australia-India CEO Forum is a mechanism for business from both nations to engage directly on ways to build the bilateral trade and investment relationship on various sectors including energy and mineral resources.
• The Business Council of Australia supports strong action on the role of energy in climate change and aims to develop technology-neutral approach to the energy mix, ensuring the cheapest and most reliable energy generation.
• The Australia India Business Exchange, an initiative of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), is aimed at deepening Australia’s trade and investment in various sectors including sustainable economic development, energy and resources. 

Cooperation and collaborations

• The Australia-India Energy Centre is a virtual centre established as a consortium of Australian and Indian universities, research institutions and energy businesses. It will focus on UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, including: renewable energy systems, energy storage, carbon capture and storage, smart grids, low cost solar, green hydrogen, digital technology for energy systems, energy efficiency, energy economics and clean energy finance.

• Under Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) the following Institutes have jointly undertaken projects in the domain of Energy and Water Sustainability:

  • University of Wollongong and National Institute of Technology, Surathkal.
  • University of Melbourne and Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and University of Technology, Sydney.
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and Macquarie University.
• The University of South Australia and the University of Technology Sydney, have received grants from the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund COVID-19 2020 Collaborative Research Projects for research collaborations on thermal energy storage and solar energy respectively.
• There have been several significant collaborations under the Australia–India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Early - and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Fellowships program since 2017.