Walking The Green Bridge: How India and Denmark Can Turn Clean Energy into Economic Growth

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India brings scale, demand and an expanding industrial base, while Denmark offers technological experience and established capabilities in sustainable energy and maritime infrastructure. Their cooperation could make the Green Strategic Partnership an important contributor to India’s clean energy transition.

India’s Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Denmark’s Minister Martin Lidegaard exchange a ceremonial gift against the backdrop of Indian and Danish flags, offshore wind turbines, solar panels, green hydrogen infrastructure and a modern industrial port. The thumbnail highlights the growing India–Denmark partnership in clean energy, technology and economic growth, with the headline “Walking the Green Bridge” and Economic Diplomacy.in branding.

For an economy as large and energy-hungry as India, the transition to cleaner power is not simply an environmental obligation. It is equally a question of affordability, industrial competitiveness and the quality of economic growth. As India moves towards its 2030 renewable energy ambitions, expanding generation capacity will have to go hand in hand with better storage, stronger transmission networks and the ability to deliver electricity reliably to consumers.

This is where Denmark becomes an important partner. The two countries are looking to expand their Green Strategic Partnership beyond conventional renewable energy cooperation, with offshore wind, green hydrogen, battery storage and grid integration emerging as key areas of engagement. Their latest discussions on the sidelines of the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit 2026 in New Delhi reflect a growing alignment between India’s energy requirements and Denmark’s technological expertise.

On November 3, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi met Denmark’s Minister for Business and Competitiveness Martin Lidegaard to explore opportunities across the clean energy sector. The discussions covered technology partnerships, investment, joint ventures and local manufacturing, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to strengthening their existing partnership.

The opportunity is considerable. India brings a rapidly expanding market and growing industrial capabilities, while Denmark offers considerable experience in renewable energy development and sustainable infrastructure. Combining these strengths could help turn bilateral engagement into a more substantial economic relationship.

The Next Frontier of India’s Energy Transition

India’s renewable energy expansion has largely been driven by solar and onshore wind, but the next phase will require a more diversified generation mix. Offshore wind offers an additional opportunity, particularly along India’s extensive coastline, where suitable projects could support large-scale clean electricity generation.

India has set a target of installing 100 GW of wind energy capacity by 2030. The country recorded its highest annual wind capacity addition of 6.05 GW in fiscal year 2026, while domestic wind turbine manufacturing capacity increased from approximately 10 GW in 2014 to 24 GW. These developments reflect the progress made in building a domestic industrial base to support further expansion.

Denmark’s experience in offshore wind could help India develop this sector more effectively. Renewable sources accounted for a preliminary 79.7% of Denmark’s electricity consumption in 2025, demonstrating its experience in integrating clean energy into the power system. Cooperation could provide India with access to specialised technology and valuable operational expertise.

There is also an established precedent for Danish manufacturing investment in India. In November 2015, Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas committed to setting up a blade manufacturing facility in Gujarat. Within 15 months, the company had established an approximately INR 500-crore factory near Ahmedabad, designed to produce 900 blades annually. The project demonstrated how foreign technology and investment could strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities.

A similar approach could support India’s offshore wind ambitions, provided cooperation extends beyond technology imports to local production and industrial participation. The government’s approval of a INR 7,453-crore viability gap funding scheme for an initial 1 GW of offshore wind capacity, including associated port infrastructure, reflects recognition of the financial challenges facing the sector.

However, offshore wind projects require substantial capital, specialised infrastructure and lengthy development timelines. Their expansion will depend on predictable regulations, commercially viable project structures and sustained private-sector investment.

Green Hydrogen and the Future of Industrial Growth

Green hydrogen offers another important avenue for cooperation, particularly as India looks to reduce emissions from industries that are difficult to electrify. Steel, chemicals and heavy manufacturing will require cleaner energy alternatives if the country’s industrial expansion is to become more sustainable.

For India, green hydrogen is closely linked to energy security and industrial competitiveness. Developing domestic production capabilities could reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels while creating opportunities across the emerging hydrogen industry. Danish expertise in sustainable energy systems could support technology development and investment in this area.

However, high production costs, transportation constraints and questions surrounding commercial scalability continue to restrict the wider adoption of green hydrogen. Cooperation must therefore focus on making projects commercially viable rather than simply expanding demonstration facilities. Industrial partnerships and joint ventures could help develop the infrastructure required to move the technology towards wider deployment.

The Missing Link Between Storage and Grid Integration

India cannot afford to confuse installed capacity with energy security. Electricity that cannot be stored, transmitted or delivered is only half a transition.

As renewable energy accounts for a growing share of electricity generation, managing fluctuations in solar and wind output is becoming rather important. Battery storage, modern transmission networks and efficient energy management systems will be essential to maintaining grid stability and ensuring reliable power supply.

India’s non-fossil fuel installed capacity crossed 300.50 GW by July 2026, accounting for more than 54% of its total installed electricity generation capacity. The scale of this expansion makes improvements in supporting infrastructure very important.

This is where India-Denmark cooperation could deliver considerable value. Danish experience in renewable energy integration could support the development of more flexible power systems, while collaboration in battery storage could improve the utilisation of electricity generated from intermittent sources.

The challenge is no longer limited to installing additional renewable energy capacity. It also involves ensuring that electricity can reach industrial centres and consumers efficiently. Cooperation in storage and grid management could therefore become one of the most commercially relevant aspects of the bilateral partnership.

Danish Investment Extends Beyond Renewable Energy

The growing relationship is also reflected in the expanding presence of Danish companies and investment institutions in India. Their engagement covers sustainable mobility, industrial technology, maritime infrastructure and green manufacturing, creating a broader commercial foundation for bilateral cooperation.

During his visit to Mumbai, Martin Lidegaard highlighted the economic opportunities between Denmark and Maharashtra, noting that their economies were of roughly comparable size. More than 60 Danish companies are already present in Maharashtra, providing an established base for further investment.

Recent announcements underline this growing engagement. In September 2026, Novonesis announced an investment of USD 600 million to expand its plant in Patalganga, Maharashtra. In October, Impact Fund Denmark announced an investment of DKK 230 million in GreenCell Mobility, one of India’s leading electric bus companies.

These investments demonstrate how Danish businesses are finding opportunities in India’s expanding green economy. They also create scope for domestic manufacturing, technology transfer and employment generation, extending the benefits of foreign investment beyond individual projects.

The proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement could provide another boost to this relationship by creating additional opportunities for trade and investment. However, its eventual contribution will depend on the final agreement and the ability of businesses to translate improved market access into commercially sustainable projects.

Maritime Cooperation Adds a Wider Economic Dimension

India-Denmark cooperation is also gaining momentum in maritime infrastructure and sustainable shipping. As India’s international trade expands, modern ports and efficient logistics infrastructure will become fairly important to the country’s economic competitiveness.

During his Mumbai visit, Lidegaard met Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma to discuss Danish investments, the proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement and opportunities in maritime infrastructure. He also highlighted the presence of Danish shipping major Maersk in India and visited its terminal in Mumbai. He was scheduled to visit APM Terminals Mumbai, also known as Gateway Terminals India, at Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

The terminal, operated by APM Terminals, part of the Danish Maersk Group, reflects the established presence of Danish businesses in India’s maritime sector. Cooperation in port operations and infrastructure could support greater efficiency while encouraging the adoption of cleaner technologies.

The appointment of Larsen & Toubro Chairman S. N. Subrahmanyan as Denmark’s Honorary Consul adds another institutional dimension to the growing relationship between the two business communities.

From Bilateral Commitments to Commercial Outcomes

India has attracted more than USD 67 billion in renewable energy investments over the preceding two years, including approximately USD 6.2 billion in foreign direct investment. These figures reflect growing investor confidence, but the requirements of the coming years will be considerably larger.

Offshore wind development, green hydrogen infrastructure, battery storage and modern transmission networks will require long-term capital commitments and predictable regulatory frameworks. For Danish businesses, India offers opportunities in manufacturing and infrastructure, while Indian companies can benefit from specialised technology and investment.

Local manufacturing must remain an important part of this engagement. Partnerships that strengthen domestic supply chains and develop technical capabilities will create greater long-term value than arrangements based primarily on importing finished equipment.

The immediate priority should be to translate bilateral discussions into concrete investment commitments, project tenders and technology partnerships. Progress in offshore wind development and commercially viable green hydrogen projects will indicate how effectively the partnership is advancing.

The ultimate promise of this partnership lies in turning the power of the wind into the power of industrial transformation. As India approaches its 2030 renewable energy milestones, the benefits of cooperation must be visible in domestic manufacturing, reliable electricity infrastructure and commercially sustainable investment. That is how a shared green ambition can translate into lasting economic value.