The US government and IIT Madras Research Park are partnering in four key sectors: solar energy, green hydrogen, electric vehicles and batteries, and sustainable building practices, as informed by Chris Hodges, the US Consul General in Chennai.
The partnership will foster cooperation between researchers, academia, and industries from both the US and India to develop a thriving ecosystem in the respective fields. Specialized working groups will be formed for each focus area, consisting of members from the US government and representatives from IIT Madras Research Park.
Highlighting US involvement, Hodges pointed to the presence of prominent American companies in Chennai, such as solar module manufacturer First Solar, which inaugurated a plant in February, and electrolyser producer Ohmium, which announced a ₹400 crore investment in Tamil Nadu.
“These companies will serve as excellent ambassadors in their respective industries,” Hodges remarked. He also emphasized Chennai’s strong position in the electric vehicle (EV) and battery sectors, drawing attention to the city’s historical reputation as the Detroit of India due to its robust automotive and auto components industries.
As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, Hodges noted Tamil Nadu’s role in India’s carbon emissions, contributing nine percent of the country’s total, but also accounting for 25% of its carbon offsets.
