Gentari keen for more clean energy deals in India

KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd's (Petronas) clean energy solutions arm, Gentari Sdn Bhd, is keen to expand its footprint in India in clean energy solutions through its three current core offerings, namely renewables, hydrogen, and green mobility.

The company said India is an important growth market for Gentari and its investments in renewable energy and hydrogen projects in the country are a continuation of memoranda of understanding signed with various state governments.

"In Tamil Nadu, we have signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government to conduct feasibility studies on green hydrogen production. We will announce our progress on these investments in due course,” Gentari said in response to recent reports that Petronas would invest 340 billion rupees (RM18.7 billion) in projects in the southern Indian state.

According to these Indian media reports, the national oil company aims to set up a green hydrogen and ammonia plant and its project has received the state government's clearance.

It was one of the five investment proposals from Indian and foreign companies approved at the Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister M.K. Stalin in Chennai, said the reports.

As a country on its way to becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy and the third-largest energy consumer, India has vast growth potential for the development of sustainable, reliable, and economical low-carbon energy, Gentari noted.

"This offers opportunities for global players to participate in supporting India’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, which includes meeting 50 per cent of its electricity needs with non-fossil fuel-based sources by 2030,” it added.

Gentari said it has already made good strides in renewables in India with 1.4 gigawatts of solar capacity serving around 350 customers, particularly in the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as in utility-scale renewables.

In addition, Gentari’s green mobility efforts in India have achieved significant milestones, with its Vehicle-as-a-Service already clocking four million clean kilometres through the current fleet of about 1,000 three-wheeler electric vehicles serving third-party logistics and e-commerce operators as well as private users, supported by more than 170 charging points.

"Gentari has several initiatives in the pipeline in India and we look forward to announcing new developments in the future,” it added.