Pune: India and Sweden collaboration through Innovations’ Accelerator Program helping Indian Industry accelerate the Clean Energy Transition
Pune, 17th October 2024: Amidst the growing climate risks and the looming energy crisis, the imperative shift towards cleaner technologies takes centre stage for nations worldwide. Considering this, the India-Sweden Innovations’ Accelerator (ISIA) program, a leading initiative fostering green technology collaboration between India and Sweden, has fast-tracked the adoption of cutting-edge sustainable technologies, propelling the transition towards a greener future.
The program is driven by the Swedish Energy Agency, with Business Sweden -The Swedish Trade and Invest Council and the Confederation of Indian Industry – Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (CII-GBC) in Hyderabad as the local programme partners.
Since the start in 2012, the ISIA – program has introduced more than 60 Swedish Cleantech companies in India, resulting in over 200 projects across India and six local subsidiaries thereby help enable Make in India and Clean India Missions. We are pleased to share that the India Sweden Innovations’ Accelerator (ISIA) is completing the 12th year of its journey facilitating the spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and co-creation between India and Sweden and seven Swedish companies are in India to interact and meet several Indian industry stakeholders during 15- 22 October 2024.
As part of this delegation, a one-day workshop on Innovative clean technologies and B-to-B meeting with Swedish delegation & Indian Industry was organised in Pune on 17 October 2024. During this workshop, the participating Swedish companies introduced their innovative technologies and the way in which they can drive clean energy transition. The innovations mainly focused on green energy, sustainable materials, efficient water conservation technologies, resource efficiency, and energy management.
The workshop started with opening remarks and welcome address by Kiran Acharya, Chairman, CII Pune Zonal Council and Managing Director & CFO, Sandvik Coromant India Pvt Ltd. He emphasized that the current priority lies in achieving resource efficiency, adopting renewable energy sources, and implementing energy-efficient technologies. These measures are critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing climate change, and meeting the pressing needs. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Swedish Energy Agency, Business Sweden, and the Confederation of Indian Industry in establishing the innovative “India Sweden Innovations’ Accelerator” platform and congratulated the team in completing 12 years of the collaborations. This initiative aligns with the industry’s requirements, aiming to unite Indian and Swedish companies on a shared platform to facilitate technology transfer. The overarching objective is to construct essential bridges that foster joint innovation, research, development, and deployment.
Joakim Gunnarsson, Consul, Consulate General of Sweden in Mumbai highlighted that the gathering at the workshop symbolises the growing deep relationship between Sweeden and India. He highlighted the role of India Sweden Innovations’ Accelerator Program, with the primary goal to enable the exchange of innovative clean technologies and solutions from Sweden to India. This journey epitomizes the essence of cooperation, collaboration, and co-creation, aligning with the commemoration of 76 years of Indo-Swedish bilateral relationship. He also shared the initiatives by LeadIT, which was launched by Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019. It was the first global high-level initiative aimed at reaching net zero emissions from heavy industry. Originally established to build momentum in industries considered “impossible to abate” it has made considerable progress since 2019 and at COP28 in Dubai in 2023 a new phase of LeadIT was launched. SMEs has played a great role in bringing newer solutions and shaping the culture of innovation.
Sofia Hogman, Trade Commissioner of Sweden to India, Business Sweden emphasized the bilateral relationship between India and Sweden, underlining their shared ambition, vision, and capability to provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy for future generations. This collaboration aims to foster sustainable growth, job creation, and prosperity, ultimately offering newfound hope to the people of India. Sweden, following the overarching theme of “Pioneer the Possible,” has initiated multiple programs, frameworks, and agreements to strengthen the co-creation and development of sustainable solutions. Sustainability and climate change have emerged as key priority areas for collaboration between India and Sweden. Both nations have formalized Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of Energy and Environment to introduce innovative technologies, promote research, and enhance development cooperation. Notably, over 280 Swedish companies are currently active in India, with many of them playing a pivotal role in advancing technology for renewable energy.
Charlotte Svensson, Business Development-International Markets, Swedish Energy Agency,delivered the theme address. She talked about the history and journey of India Sweden Innovations Accelerator program. She also highlighted the deeper penetration of Swedish clean technologies in India and the update by the Indian Industry.
The workshop had participation from over 60 eminent industry leaders, government agencies, associations, technology and service providers, and senior Industry professionals amongst many others.
