In a significant step toward expanding international cooperation in clean energy, Invest UP recently hosted a high-level roundtable meeting with a delegation from Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture, currently on an official visit to Uttar Pradesh. The discussions reflected the growing importance of global partnerships in advancing sustainable energy solutions and highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s emerging role in India’s clean energy transition.
The meeting was chaired by Deepak Kumar, Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner (IIDC), Government of Uttar Pradesh, and attended by senior officials from the state government. The dialogue focused on strengthening long-term collaboration in green hydrogen, renewable energy, and the broader clean energy ecosystem, areas that are increasingly central to both India’s and Japan’s sustainability ambitions.
During the interaction, Deepak Kumar outlined the state’s evolving industrial and investment framework. He highlighted several key policy initiatives, including the Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy (IIEPP) 2022, the UP FDI/FCI Fortune Global 500 Policy 2023, and a set of 34 sector-specific policies designed to attract global investment. These frameworks provide competitive incentives, streamlined approvals, and strong institutional support for industries looking to establish or expand operations in Uttar Pradesh.
The IIDC also emphasised the state’s strategic advantages: a rapidly expanding infrastructure network, a large domestic consumer market, and a governance environment focused on facilitating investment. Together, these factors are positioning Uttar Pradesh as a promising destination for global clean energy investments, particularly in emerging sectors such as green hydrogen.
A key outcome of the discussions was the proposal to establish two Centers of Excellence (CoEs) dedicated to advancing innovation in the green hydrogen sector. Uttar Pradesh has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Government of Yamanashi under the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy-2024 to build research and development capacity in this critical field.
These Centers of Excellence will focus on research, innovation, skill development, and indigenous manufacturing across the green hydrogen value chain. By bringing together academic institutions, industry partners, and policymakers, the initiative aims to create a strong ecosystem that supports both technological development and commercial deployment.
Under the proposed plan, IIT Kanpur and Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) will jointly establish one CoE at the HBTU campus in Kanpur. The second CoE will be developed at Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT), Gorakhpur, in collaboration with IIT (BHU) Varanasi. Several other reputed technical institutions are also expected to participate in the initiative.
Importantly, the initiative is designed not only as an academic exercise but also as an industry-driven platform. Strong participation from private companies will be encouraged to support commercialisation, pilot projects, and real-world deployment of green hydrogen technologies.
Addressing the roundtable, Junichi Ishidera, Hon’ble Vice Governor of Yamanashi Prefectural Government, acknowledged the significant potential for collaboration between Yamanashi and Uttar Pradesh in the clean energy sector. He particularly highlighted opportunities for green hydrogen projects in the Noida region, which has been rapidly developing as a hub for technology and advanced manufacturing.
Ishidera also announced that Yamanashi plans to host a Green Hydrogen Summit in the prefecture to further strengthen international cooperation in clean energy and advanced technologies. He extended a formal invitation to the Government of Uttar Pradesh to participate in the summit, signalling a shared commitment to long-term collaboration.
The Vice Governor further expressed optimism about the proposed visit of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to Japan in February, describing it as an important milestone for strengthening ties between the two regions across investment, innovation, and sustainable development.
The discussions also revealed strong interest from the Japanese business community in exploring opportunities in Uttar Pradesh. The Yamanashi delegation shared plans to bring a 200-member delegation of Japanese CEOs to the state in August 2026, aimed at expanding investment engagement and strengthening economic partnerships.
During the meeting, Kandevia Corporation also conveyed its interest in establishing a green hydrogen plant with a capacity of up to 1 GW in western Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the growing interest of global companies in the state’s emerging clean energy ecosystem.
The roundtable concluded with a symbolic gesture reflecting the spirit of cooperation between the two regions. Deepak Kumar presented the visiting delegation with an ODOP (One District One Product) memento, representing Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to sustainable growth, cultural identity, and international partnerships.
The meeting underscores the increasing role of global collaboration in building future-ready energy systems. As countries accelerate efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition toward cleaner energy sources, partnerships between regions such as Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi can play a crucial role in advancing innovation and investment.
By combining policy support, academic expertise, industrial participation, and international cooperation, Uttar Pradesh is laying the groundwork for a robust green hydrogen ecosystem. Initiatives such as the proposed Centers of Excellence and potential large-scale investments signal the state’s ambition to become a key player in India’s clean energy landscape.
The Invest UP roundtable, therefore, represents more than just a diplomatic engagement—it reflects a strategic step toward building long-term partnerships that support sustainable development, technological innovation, and global energy transition.
