Germany and India have reiterated their shared commitment to promoting renewable energy and sustainable development, the German Embassy announced on Sunday, following Parliamentary State Secretary Johann Saathoff’s four-day visit to India.
The visit, which included stops in Chennai and Delhi-NCR, coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Indo-German strategic partnership—highlighting the depth of cooperation in technology, innovation, and climate-friendly economic growth.
In New Delhi, Saathoff inaugurated the German Pavilion at the Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo 2025, where companies from both nations presented advancements in solar, wind, and green hydrogen technologies.
According to the Embassy’s release, Saathoff underlined that the Indo-German renewable energy partnership represents a unified “Team Germany” approach, bringing together ministries, development agencies like GIZ and KfW, and private industry to strengthen global renewable energy value chains.
At the Indo-German CEO Roundtable on Solar Energy—jointly organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI)—discussions focused on solar manufacturing, technology exchange, and investment opportunities.
Saathoff emphasised that renewable energy is not only a key economic driver but also a moral obligation to protect the planet for future generations. He noted that Germany and India, as major players in the renewable sector, continue to learn from each other’s experiences in integrating large-scale solar and wind power into national grids while ensuring fair competition and sustainable industry growth.
During his concluding engagements, Saathoff visited the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, where he toured the Agri-Photovoltaic (Agri-PV) demonstration site established in partnership with GIZ India. The initiative showcases how solar energy production and agriculture can coexist, allowing farmers to produce both food and clean energy on the same land.
Describing Agri-PV as a “third harvest,” Saathoff highlighted its role in enhancing food and energy security while supporting sustainable rural livelihoods. His visit also included interactions with researchers and students on strengthening Indo-German collaboration in agricultural technology, research, and capacity building.
Reflecting on his first official trip to India, Saathoff said, “It has been a true pleasure to be in India and to witness the tremendous energy, innovation, and optimism that define this country.”
He added, “At Windergy India 2025 in Chennai, I saw the great potential of India’s wind sector, and at Renewable Energy India 2025 in Delhi, I was inspired by the progress in solar and biogas. With a strong delegation from GIZ, KfW, and leading German companies, we aim to deepen our collaboration with Indian partners—connecting ideas, expertise, and industries to build a cleaner, brighter future.”
The visit was organised by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Consulate General in Chennai, under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) framework between India and Germany.
