The Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue was held on February 11, Tuesday, in New Delhi, co-chaired by Manohar Lal, India’s Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, and Ed Miliband, the UK’s Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The dialogue reviewed progress in the energy sectors of both nations, reaffirming their shared commitment to a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive energy future. The Ministers emphasised the need for economic growth and energy transition to go hand in hand while ensuring affordable and clean energy access for all.
They highlighted the importance of energy security and sustainable development, committing to deeper collaboration in key areas such as power distribution, sector reforms, industrial energy efficiency, and decarbonisation. Discussions also explored emerging opportunities in energy storage, green data centres, and offshore wind, with a particular focus on supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
A major outcome of the dialogue was the launch of Phase-2 of the India-UK Accelerating Smart Power & Renewable Energy in India (ASPIRE) programme, which aims to enhance round-the-clock power supply, expand renewable energy initiatives, and accelerate industrial energy efficiency and decarbonisation. This phase will be implemented in partnership with India’s Ministry of Power (MOP) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Both sides welcomed the deepening bilateral cooperation in energy sector investments, technology partnerships, and job creation. They reviewed progress on trade missions focusing on offshore wind and green hydrogen and highlighted ongoing collaboration between the UK’s Energy Systems Catapult and India’s Power Trading Corporation.
Recognising the shared ambition for offshore wind development, the Ministers announced the establishment of a UK-India Offshore Wind Taskforce to drive ecosystem development, supply chain growth, and financing models for offshore wind projects in both countries.
Miliband praised India’s ambitious renewable energy initiatives and expressed particular interest in learning from India’s experience in implementing the Solar Rooftop Programme (PM – Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna).
The dialogue also underscored the role of power market regulations in facilitating energy transition and strengthening energy security. To support these objectives, the Ministers announced the continuation of the Power Sector Reforms programme under the UK Partnering for Accelerating Climate Change (UKPACT).
Additionally, a new taskforce between the UK’s Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) and India’s Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has been proposed to enhance renewable energy integration and grid transformation in India.
Both Ministers reaffirmed the value of the India-UK Energy Dialogue in advancing shared clean energy transition goals, strengthening energy access, and building secure, sustainable supply chains—all while aligning these efforts with economic growth.
As part of the dialogue’s conclusion, the Ministers launched two key reports:
- ‘Best Practices Compendium of Industrial Energy Efficiency & Decarbonisation’
- ‘Pathways for Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation in the Indian Aluminium Sector’
Both sides expressed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and eagerly anticipate the Fifth India-UK Energy Dialogue in 2026.
