In a landmark bilateral summit, India and Brazil signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) spanning renewable energy, counter-terrorism, agricultural research, and digital cooperation. The agreements, finalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Brazil, the first by an Indian PM in 57 years, include a dedicated pact to accelerate clean energy collaboration, with significant implications for both countries’ emissions-intensive aluminum industries.
Renewable energy in the spotlight
The MoU on renewable energy looks to tap into Brazil's world-class clean electricity grid, already the cleanest among G20 countries at more than 90 percent renewable, and India's enormous solar and wind deployment initiatives. The partnership will see joint research, technology transfer, and investment in clean biofuels, solar, wind, and new storage technologies.
The cooperation is of special importance for decarbonising aluminium production, as both countries have significant challenges to overcome. While India is expected to have 18-20 GW of solar and wind capacity added by 2030, its aluminium industry already occupies 5-6 per cent of its existing capacity. Relying presently on coal, renewables can supply 93 percent of new smelting capacity.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s aluminium industry consumes 6 per cent of national electricity, primarily from hydropower. Historical vulnerabilities during droughts showed the need for diversified renewables and storage-backed solutions. The agreement arrives amid major industry shifts: Rio Tinto recently partnered with India’s AMG M&M to develop 1 million tonnes per year of solar- and wind-powered aluminum , while Brazilian producers face pressure from US tariff hikes, complicating green investments .
Global implications
The partnership strengthens climate leadership ahead of Brazil hosting COP30, where initiatives like the USD 1.3 trillion "Baku to Belém Roadmap" will be advanced. India’s support for Brazil’s Tropical Forests Forever Fund further signals aligned environmental priorities .
Brazil’s hydropower and biomass, combined with India’s low-cost solar, create complementary pathways to cut sector emissions. With aluminum demand rising in auto and construction, this cooperation offers a template for industrial decarbonization across the Global South.
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