India, UAE hold talks to link grids through subsea cables

India and the UAE last week held talks for connecting their grids through undersea cables under the 'one sun, one world, one grid' initiative through which both countries may trade in renewable energy.

The countries are looking to sign a MoU for electricity interconnection and trade, sources in the know told ET.

A proposal for subsea cable grid connectivity has been sent to the Cabinet, two persons said.


The UAE will undertake a feasibility study, they said.

"Solar power can be traded between the two countries because of the time difference," a government official said.

Bilateral relations between India and the UAE in the energy space have been strong but confined to hydrocarbons. In recent times, however, they have extended to renewables, another source said.

India could look to make a stop at Oman, like a port of call, and then take the connectivity to UAE. This will be strategically important to India as UAE plans to expand its grid connectivity with North Africa and Europe, giving it the opportunity to sell renewable energy further.

India aims to have 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, in which solar will play a major role. The current installed solar power capacity in the country is 67.8 GW.

The nations are also looking at cooperation and knowledge exchange on power market and distribution reforms, renewable integration, and clean energy investment. Among the common interest topics for the COP28, which UAE is hosting, is efficient cooling systems.