New Delhi, France has expressed its interest in providing technical expertise for the development of cross-border power trade in South Asia. Lise Breuil, India country director for AFD (Agence Française de Développement), the official development agency of France, highlighted the nation’s readiness to share insights gleaned from the establishment of the European cross-border power market.
Breuil emphasized the potential collaboration with Expertise France, France’s international technical cooperation agency, to work on the intricacies of creating a robust power market. She acknowledged the complexities involved in establishing an international electricity market, drawing parallels with France’s own experience in building the European market, a process that took years.
India has been actively pursuing the creation of a South Asian energy market, fostering agreements with neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. The India-Nepal-Bangladesh power trade agreement is nearing finalization, complemented by the establishment of an India Energy Exchange to facilitate energy trade with neighboring nations.
Ajay Tewari, additional secretary in the Ministry of Power, outlined India’s vision to connect its power grid with neighboring countries, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and eventually extending to Southeast Asian nations. This interconnected power system aims to reduce prices, enhance supply stability, and promote regional connectivity.
The proposed South Asian power market aligns with broader economic benefits, potentially attracting greater investments in renewables, generating employment opportunities, and fostering electricity trade savings for importers and revenues for exporters.
Under the ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ initiative by the International Solar Alliance (ISA), India is exploring connections with the national grids of countries in West Asia and Southeast Asia. Collaborative efforts, such as the MoU with Saudi Arabia for power grid interconnection and green hydrogen supply, signify India’s commitment to regional energy integration.
As India advances its plans for a comprehensive and interconnected power network, France’s offer of technical expertise stands as a testament to international cooperation in achieving sustainable energy goals.
