Denmark launches green fuel alliance in India

Denmark has unveiled the Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) project, which aims to strengthen collaboration efforts between the two nations in the sustainable energy solutions sector and further shared global objective of carbon neutrality.

The new alliance, led by the Danish Embassy and the Consulate General of Denmark in India, is a strategic initiative that aims to advance the Green Fuels sector, including Green Hydrogen, by encouraging innovation, collaboration, and partnerships between Danish and Indian industries.

According to A.P. Moller – Maersk, the primary objective of GFAI is to support sustainable energy growth in India by creating an environment that fosters collaboration between Indian and Danish firms, government organisations, research institutes, and financial players.

Maersk, Topsoe, Umwelt Energy, Mash Makes, European Sustainable Solutions, Novozymes, Danfoss, Brdr. Christensen, and Hydrogen Denmark are among the nine pioneering Danish organisations that have already joined the GFAI project as founding members.

Meanwhile, members of the GFAI advisory board include the India Hydrogen Alliance, the Energy Consortium of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the Danish Energy Agency, and State of Green.

The GFAI announcement comes at an opportune time in history, as India makes huge efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070.

Denmark reportedly topped the global Climate Performance Ranking 2024 and is on track to become carbon neutral by 2050.

The GFAI exemplifies operations within the Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) signed in 2020 by India and Denmark to fulfil the partner nations’ ambitious climate commitments.

Ambassador of Denmark to India, H.E. Freddy Svane, is hopeful that such an international collaboration has the potential to greatly aid the global green transition.

“Our planet needs action. The Tamil Nadu investors summit is happening at this very important junction. Danish companies bring skills to the green transition globally. Happy to see the special efforts through the Green Strategic Partnership to inspire India in her endeavours of greening its development.

“The Green Fuels Alliance India is powering initiatives within the energy transition. May our joint contributions be significant and inspirational,” Svane added.

Morten Bo Christiansen, Head of Energy Transition, Maersk, said: “The availability of green energy and green fuel in sufficient quantities at cost-competitive price levels is the single largest challenge to the global shipping’s net-zero journey.

“India has excellent conditions for renewable energy production and ambitions to be a global leader in the green energy value chain. Drawing on our more than 100 years of business relations with the nation, we are very excited to join the involved Indian and Danish stakeholders as a founding member of the GFAI.”

In March 2023, Maersk announced the commencement of its new air freight service with scheduled flights between Billund, Denmark, and Hangzhou, China.