Brics ministers underscored the importance of balanced and diversified energy mixes, promotion of cleaner and more efficient energy technologies, and cooperation in areas such as new technologies in fossil fuels, renewable energy, biofuels, hydrogen
New Delhi: BRICS energy ministers on Thursday reaffirmed that energy security remains central to the grouping’s cooperation, stressing the need for diversified, resilient and transparent energy systems and supply chains.
Meeting in Gurugram under India’s chairship, the ministers adopted the 11th BRICS energy ministers’ joint communiqué which said energy security remains a cornerstone of BRICS cooperation and emphasized the need for diversified, resilient and transparent energy systems and supply chains.
Power minister Manohar Lal said energy pathways would differ across countries, adding that developing countries require adequate time, resources and policy space to pursue sustainable development while meeting the legitimate aspirations of their people.
Quick answers to key questions
Energy security is a central facet of BRICS cooperation, emphasizing the need for diversified, resilient, and transparent energy systems and supply chains among its members.
Access to secure, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is fundamental for economic development, job creation, industrialization, and human dignity, especially in developing countries.
BRICS countries are promoting cleaner and more efficient energy technologies, emphasizing research and cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, hydrogen, and energy efficiency.
India and Iran are discussing ways to strengthen energy cooperation and bilateral trade, focusing on expanding engagement in the oil and gas sector and leveraging their strategic infrastructure.
Yes, countries should prioritize balanced and diversified energy mixes to ensure stability, sustainability, and resilience in their energy supply, accommodating various economic and environmental needs.
“The ministers highlighted that access to secure, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is fundamental to economic development, job creation, industrialization, and human dignity,” the power ministry said in a statement.
The ministers also underscored the importance of balanced and diversified energy mixes, promotion of cleaner and more efficient energy technologies, and cooperation in areas such as new technologies in fossil fuels, renewable energy, biofuels, hydrogen, energy storage, critical minerals, carbon capture technologies, digitalization and energy efficiency while reaffirming the importance of affordable financing.
Lal said India has emerged as the world’s third-largest producer and consumer of electricity, with installed power genration capacity nearing 540 GW and non-fossil sources accounting for more than half of the installed capacity.
The BRICS digital centre of excellence for smart grids and energy storage was launched under the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform (ERCP). The centre will serve as a voluntary collaborative platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, exchange of policy and regulatory best practices, and development of pilot initiatives among BRICS countries.
Further, the BRICS guiding principles on smart grids and energy storage were adopted, recognizing the growing importance of modern, resilient and digitally enabled power systems in supporting reliable and affordable energy access while facilitating the integration of renewable energy and emerging technologies.
The meeting endorsed the updated terms of reference of the BRICS ERCP, strengthening the institutional framework for research, technical cooperation and knowledge exchange among BRICS countries.
Representatives from all 11 member countries of BRICS – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE – attended the meeting today.
About the Author
Rituraj Baruah
Rituraj Baruah is a special correspondent covering energy, housing, urban affairs, heavy industries and small businesses at Mint. He has reported on diverse sectors over the last eight years including, commodities and stocks market, insolvency and real estate; with previous stints at Cogencis Information Services, Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) and Inc42.
