India–Australia Clean Energy Partnership

15.10.2025

India–Australia Clean Energy Partnership

Context

The editorial by Lisa Singh and Tushar Joshi explores the growing India–Australia collaboration in clean energy, aimed at cutting carbon emissions, diversifying supply chains, and reducing dependence on China for critical minerals and renewable technologies.

Shared Goals and Strategic Dependence

• Common Vision: Both countries share ambitious clean energy and climate goals.
  • India: Target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030.
  • Australia: Aims for 62–70% emission reduction by 2035 and net-zero by 2050.
• Reliance on China:
  • China refines over 90% of rare earth elements and produces over 80% of global solar modules.
  • Australia mines lithium, nickel, and cobalt but depends on China for processing.
• Strategic Necessity: Over-dependence poses supply chain security risks. Joint cooperation is seen as a mitigation strategy to diversify sources and build self-reliance in clean energy materials.

The Clean Energy Partnership

• Launch: Initiated in 2024 jointly by PM Narendra Modi and PM Anthony Albanese.
• Key Areas of Cooperation:
  • Solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing
  • Green hydrogen production and storage
  • Energy storage and battery systems
  • Circular economy and recycling
  • Investments, capacity building, and skills development

Synergies and Strategic Importance

• India’s Advantages:
  • Expanding domestic clean energy market
  • Large youth workforce and manufacturing incentives (EVs, solar components)
• Australia’s Advantages:
  • Abundant critical mineral reserves (lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths)
  • Expertise in mining technology and research
• Mutual Benefits:
  • Boost in green manufacturing and clean jobs creation
  • Enhanced technological cooperation and export opportunities
  • Strengthened geopolitical positioning in the Indo-Pacific through shared sustainable growth

Implementation and Way Forward

• Current Progress: Australian Climate Minister Chris Bowen’s visit to India (October 2025) focuses on accelerating project implementation and joint policy design.
• Challenges: Technology and investment gaps, policy coordination issues, and infrastructure readiness.
• Recommendations:
  • Encourage Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) for large-scale green projects
  • Invest in joint R&D to innovate cleaner technologies
  • Ensure coordinated policymaking for faster adoption and equitable growth

Conclusion

The India–Australia Clean Energy Partnership embodies economic and environmental synergy. With shared climate ambitions and complementary strengths, both nations can reduce Chinese supply dominance, secure their energy future, and shape the clean transition in the Indo-Pacific region.