New Delhi

An agreement for setting up Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre was signed between Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and U.S. Department of Energy during the US President’s visit to New Delhi. Dr. M.K.Bhan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology and Mr. Timothy Roemer, US Ambassador to India signed the agreement.

The agreement would facilitate establishment of India-U.S. Clean Energy Research and Development Centre to facilitate joint research and development and deployment for clean energy technologies. Initial priority areas to be addressed will be solar energy, second generation biofuels and building efficiency. The Centre will involve active participation of academic and private sectors of both countries working in a consortia mode. The consortium will be self-selecting teams with entities or individuals from national labs, academic institutions, private sector, NGOs etc. Awards will be made to consortia which have knowledge and experience to undertake first-rate collaborative research programmes. The consortia will leverage existing resources and physical infrastructure and bring together talent from both countries.

The agreement will be valid for 10 years to be renewed for periods of five years so long as Bilateral S&T agreement is in force. Government of India will provide equivalent of US$ 5 million each year for 5 years and the same amount of US$ 5 million would be provided by U.S.Government each year for 5 years.